Tua Tagovailoa still has a chance to revive his NFL career if he lands in the right situation, according to Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson.
The former wide receiver shared his perspective during an appearance on Jordan Schultz‘s podcast Friday, arguing that the embattled quarterback’s story is far from over, despite the growing pressure in Miami to move on from him.
Johnson believes the 27-year-old quarterback has the talent to succeed, provided he is paired with a coach who truly understands his strengths and designs an offense around them. The challenge, he notes, is finding that proper fit after two consecutive losing seasons and a late-season benching that seems to have sealed his fate with the Miami Dolphins.
“The guy, if he can stay healthy, and he finds the right coach in the right system, is Tua,” Johnson said. “Because he’s done it at high level at Alabama. I’ve seen the Miami Dolphins winning when he’s healthy. And I’ve seen the Miami Dolphins without him.
“And that tells me if he got the right coach in the right situation that understands the player, you can work miracles with him. I don’t need him to carry the team. I just need him to drive the bus and not sideswipe cars. And if he can do that, he’s a guy I think in the right situation, he gets out to places you’re trying to go.”
Selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by Miami, Tagovailoa received a four-year, $212.4 million extension before the 2024 season after leading the league with 4,624 passing yards in 2023. While the contract reflects his talent, it now presents a significant obstacle for the franchise moving forward.
Health concerns cloud his prospects
A major factor in evaluating Tagovailoa‘s future is his injury history. The quarterback has suffered multiple concussions over his six-year NFL career, raising serious questions about his long-term viability.
During the 2024 season, he sustained his third concussion in two years, causing him to miss several games as Miami‘s playoff hopes collapsed during an 8-9 finish that left them second in the AFC East.
The 2025 season offered little improvement. Miami finished 7-10, missing the postseason again and placing third in the division. Across 14 games, Tagovailoa threw for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while absorbing 30 sacks, highlighting ongoing performance and protection issues.
Despite these setbacks, Johnson remains optimistic that Tagovailoa can flourish in the right environment. “If he finds a system and a coach that suits him, I’ve seen what he can do,” Johnson said. “It’s not over for Tua yet.”
For Tagovailoa, the coming offseason may be his last opportunity to find a team and system capable of maximizing his potential and safeguarding his long-term career in the NFL.
