Dolphins

Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa Will Be Starting QB In 2021, OC Chan Gailey Returning

January 5, 2021

Dolphins HC Brian Flores told reporters on Tuesday he expects “everyone” to be back from his staff this year, including OC Chan Gailey per Adam Beasley.

An incorrect report came out yesterday that Gailey would be fired. Instead, he’ll go into his second year working with first-round QB Tua Tagovailoa.

Miami is set to have the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft thanks to a trade with the Texans. Given Tagovailoa’s inconsistency and benching, some have speculated a quarterback is on the table for the Dolphins.

However, Dolphins GM Chris Grier went out of his way to twice commit to Tagovailoa per Josh Tolentino, saying the second time: “I want to be clear. Tua is our starter. We’re very happy with his development so far.”

Tagovailoa, 22, was selected with the No. 5 overall pick out of Alabama in 2020 by the Dolphins. He signed a four-year, $30,275,438 rookie contract that includes a $19,578,501 signing bonus.

The contract includes a fifth-year for the Dolphins to pick up for the 2024 season.

In 2020, Tagovailoa appeared in 10 games and completed 64.1 of his passing attempts for 1,814 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed 36 times for 109 yards and three touchdowns.

Gailey, 68, got his coaching start in the NFL with the Broncos as their TE coach in 1985. After five years with the Broncos, he left for head coaching positions in minor league football but returned to the NFL in 1994 as an assistant with the Steelers.

The Cowboys hired Gailey as their head coach in 1998 but he lasted just two seasons. He was the offensive coordinator for the Dolphins for two years before leaving to be the head coach at Georgia Tech until 2007.

After a year as the OC for the Chiefs, Gailey was hired by the Bills as head coach and remained in that position until 2012. He spent two years as OC for the Jets until 2016 when he retired. He was persuaded to come back for the Dolphins for a year in 2020.

In 2020, the Dolphins finished No. 22 in total offense and No. 15 in points per game, including No. 20 in passing yards per game and No. 22 in rushing yards per game.