"I am not the tallest guy": Tua Tagovailoa shockingly blames ‘short height’ for not targeting Jaylen Waddle in blowout loss against Browns

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has sparked headlines after a surprising explanation for his inability to connect with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle during the team’s Week 7 blowout defeat against the Cleveland Browns.

Despite being one of the NFL’s most promising signal-callers, Tagovailoa cited his shorter stature as a key reason for not throwing a single pass to Waddle in the game. His comments have added fuel to the fire amid an already challenging season marked by inconsistent offensive performances and growing trade rumors surrounding Waddle.

Why blaming his height raises eyebrows and what it means for his relationship with teammates

Tagovailoa’s claim that his height prevented him from throwing to Jaylen Waddle has drawn widespread attention and skepticism.

“Some of it has to do with being able to see guys with their guys also up front and our guys. I’m not the tallest guy in the back there either. Being able to see and sometimes when that happens, you don’t want to just throw it blindly,” he said. While visibility over the offensive line can be a challenge for shorter quarterbacks, critics argue that the explanation sounds like deflection amid growing frustration with his performance.

This follows a previous incident where Tagovailoa apologized after publicly criticizing teammates following a loss, adding to questions about his leadership and accountability.

How Tua’s interceptions and on-field struggles have weighed on the Dolphins’ season

The Miami Dolphins started the 2025 NFL season with big expectations, but their offense has struggled, mainly because of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s uneven play. Early on, the team’s poor performance made people question if head coach Mike McDaniel could get the best out of his players.

The Dolphins did improve a bit mid-season, but they often lost close games, with Tagovailoa’s turnovers playing a big role. He threw three interceptions against the Cleveland Browns, bringing his total to 10 interceptions — tied for the most in the league.

This led McDaniel to bench him during that game.Also read: Philanthropist Julia Koch’s $10.3 billion New York Giants stake: What you need to know about her net worth and the record sale

Jaylen Waddle’s trade rumors heat up as frustrations grow over limited targets

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who was expected to take on a bigger role after Tyreek Hill’s season-ending injury, has seen fewer chances to make plays. Recently, Waddle removed all mentions of the Miami Dolphins from his social media and posted pictures of himself getting ready for football without tagging the team. This has made fans wonder if he might want to leave. The growing disconnect between Tagovailoa and Waddle adds to the questions about the Dolphins’ receiving group and what the team will do to fix the problems.