Tagovailoa reports to Dolphins camp, expected to practice during talks

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. >> Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa certainly won’t go the same route as Green Bay Packers forward Jordan Love.

After it was announced Monday that Love will not work out with the Packers during training camp until his contract extension is finalized, it appears that will not happen with Tagovailoa during negotiations with the Dolphins.

As veteran players reported today, Tagovailoa would not speak to the media with the team’s first practice scheduled for Wednesday — and neither would coach Mike McDaniel — but Tagovailoa’s teammates, including his top two wide receivers, have seen him in the building and have interacted with the quarterback recently. Tagovailoa is seeking an extension as he enters the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.

“Tua, he’s in a great frame of mind. Obviously I can’t speak for him on the contract situation because that’s his business, his personal business,” Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill said. “As far as how he’s feeling, as far as his mental health, he’s feeling great. He’s really excited to be back in the building with all the guys.”

Fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle, who did ink an extension with Miami this offseason, said: “I’ve broken up with him before (today). Pretty regular. … Nothing crazy.”

Tagovailoa is expected to not only attend but also participate in practices at this training camp, despite the length of time it will take to hammer out a new deal, which has been in limbo all winter.

“Yeah, I believe he (will practice),” Hill said. “Tua is very competitive. He wouldn’t tell you that, but he’s very competitive. He’s a guy that doesn’t want to fall too far behind. He understands that we have a really good team and he doesn’t want to miss this window.

“It’s great to see him out there. He’s still coming to work, still running his business without the deal being done. And it’s just great to have him around. Just his presence means a lot to a lot of the guys, especially me.”

Waddle added: “He’s going to be here. He loves being with the team, the boys. He’s going to be there training, playing, doing whatever.”

Tagovailoa has impressed his teammates with the way he carries himself.

“He’s a professional,” Dolphins new safety Jordan Poyer said. “That’s his business and we all hope for the best for him and this team. Tua is a big part of this team. And I’m sure he, his agents and the people up there will handle that the right way. We hope Tua gets what he deserves.”

Running back Raheem Mostert agreed that Tagovailoa deserves a new contract based on the growth and leadership he’s seen from the quarterback. He’s currently set to make $23.2 million with his fifth-year option, but he’ll average more than $50 million per year, the new rate for higher-paid quarterbacks.

The other question is how much Tagovailoa will do in drills. During voluntary organized team activities and mandatory minicamp this offseason, Tagovailoa sat out 11-on-11 team drills while participating in individual and 7-on-7 work.

That will likely become clear on Wednesday, when McDaniel speaks to reporters for the first time and the Dolphins hold their first training camp, which is open to the media but not fans.

Hill also wants to make more money. His situation is said to be nowhere near a dispute, but he did say during the offseason that he wants his deal redone, as several NFL wide receivers have now passed him up with new, bigger contracts.

“I don’t know. I honestly have no idea,” Hill said of the prospects of a restructuring deal.

What he does know is that he wants to stay with the Dolphins.

“One thing I told (agent) Drew (Rosenhaus) is, ‘Don’t trade me,’” Hill said. “I want to stay here in Miami because this is where my family is right now. Everybody loves it here. My family loves it. My wife loves it. Kids love it. I love it, obviously. I love playing for coach (McDaniel) and my teammates are great. I wouldn’t want to leave.”

After coming close to his individual goal of 2,000 receiving yards last year, finishing with 1,799, Hill has set a team goal for 2024.

Hill said he wants to win a playoff game first and foremost, and eventually build on that to make a run to the Super Bowl. He took an introspective look at himself when he competed for 2,000 yards in the offseason last season.

“I have to understand the position that I’m in. That I’m one of the leaders and I pick an individual goal that way — because I had the time to look at it and talk about it with my family — and that was very selfish of me.”

Hill said reaching 2,000 yards isn’t an option, but he does want to distribute the ball more, especially now that Miami has added wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and tight end Jonnu Smith.

Hill was the first to speak to the media today, sweating after completing his fitness test. The fast, athletic Hill, of course, had no problem with it.

“Did I make it? Let’s just say I backed up a couple times,” Hill said. “It was that easy. Tell the Dolphins to make it harder.”

Hill later posted on X that he was at 6% body fat today.