Tua Tagovailoa: ‘I don’t not feel wanted,’ as Dolphins trade rumors continue to circulate
As the Miami Dolphins remain entrenched in trade rumblings for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, the team’s current quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, answered 10 minutes worth of questions in his usual Wednesday press conference, mostly on the possibility of a trade before the Nov. 2 deadline.
Tagovialoa offered an interesting response when asked if he still feels wanted in Miami with the constant reports linking the Dolphins to Watson.
“I don’t not feel wanted. That’s what I can say,” he said, laughing off the question as he remained upbeat throughout the media session.
Dolphins coach Brian Flores affirmed Wednesday, “Tua’s our quarterback,” as he has continuously said, but he has done little to distance the team from the reported dealings. Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has not been made available to speak with reporters.
As Tagovailoa prepares to face the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park on Sunday, he says the trade possibilities aren’t even something on his mind.
“I really don’t think about it,” Tagovailoa said. “The only time I’m really hearing about it… if [Dolphins media relations] is kind of telling me what’s going on within the rumors or if my agent calls me, that’s really when I hear it. Other than that, I don’t really hear it.”
On Tuesday night, the Houston Chronicle reported that compensation has been agreed to between the Dolphins and Texans in the event that two major ifs occur in the Dolphins receiving legal clarity on Watson’s troubles with his legal cases involving sexual assault and what commissioner Roger Goodell could potentially hand down on punishment depending on what is found.
On Wednesday morning, NFL Network reported that the Carolina Panthers, one of the other teams that has been mentioned along with the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos, will no longer pursue Watson. USA Today, on Wednesday, also countered the Houston Chronicle’s reporting, stating, “Miami’s offer still does not meet the threshold to get a deal done.”
In an ideal world for Tagovailoa, the Dolphins would come out and say they’re backing out of trade talks for Watson, but that’s simply not what Tagovailoa’s dealing with as he continues to get dragged through the reports.
“For me, I don’t have control over any of that,” Tagovailoa said. “I’m just focused on the guys in the building, with my teammates. We don’t really have time as professionals, I would say, to be thinking of a lot of outside noise while we’re preparing day in and day out for opponents like we have right now, the Bills.”
Just how far is Tagovailoa’s mind from the trade reports with Tuesday’s trade deadline looming within a week?
“Honestly, I’m not even worried about that,” he said. “I don’t even know when the trade deadline is.”
This story will be updated.