The Miami Dolphins season has come to an end, but the looming question of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s contract extension is ever-present. You’ll see arguments on both sides, and the detractors will point to Tua and the Dolphins lack of playoff wins and how two quarterbacks in his draft class, or later now having one, as an indictment against him.
It’s a fair point. The NFL is a results-driven league. Each of Tagovailoa’s first four seasons has resulted in winning seasons and playoff appearances in the last two.
The deck may have been stacked against Tua trying to elevate his stock in the playoffs with the sub-zero conditions, lack of a running game, and injuries to both sides of the ball.
Even with the context, he looked overwhelmed by the conditions, and his status as a top-ten quarterback took a hit.
At the same time, I can’t grade how Tua played compared to guys like C.J. Stroud and Jordan Love because both played indoor games, and both likely would’ve lost to the Chiefs with the same conditions Tua played with.
With that, I’m going to rank all of the playoff quarterbacks that are left in the playoffs with Tua Tagovailoa and see how it matches up.
– I’m a fan of Baker Mayfield, and having him last on this list is not a shot at him or criticism of his play. The Baker redemption tour was in full effect this year, and he got his respect back. I see him as a franchise quarterback who gives the Buccaneers a consistent starter that could make the playoffs for the next five years.
I’d consider a fringe top-15 guy who has all the characteristics of a prototypical pocket quarterback with high leadership skills. He’s also the only active NFL quarterback with a playoff win with two teams. Happy that he found a home in Tampa.
The Green Bay Packers may be the best organization in the NFL. How you go from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers and now to Jordan Love is beyond me. When I look at Jordan Love, I see all the physical traits that make an elite NFL quarterback. He’s got the arm, all the arm angle and off-platform throws, play extension abilities, and overall size to stay healthy.
Love started hot out of the gate, and then we saw the growing pains and questioned if he saw the field well. Everything came together at the right time, resulting in huge wins against the Chiefs and Lions while dishing out a couple spankings against bad teams to end the year.
Love had a really solid game against the Cowboys, but the Cowboys defense was horrible. Dominated in the trenches and couldn’t cover. They got schemed up and down the field, and Jordan Love came along for the ride. Love is ascending into the top 10 overall, but I’d like to see how he does when the team needs him to be a playmaker.
7. Jared Goff
4575 YDS, 67.3 CMP%, 7.6 AVG, 269.1 YPG, 32 TTD, 12 INT, RTG 97.9, QBR 60.3
– Jared Goff beating his old team was the ultimate revenge story. He’s been a consistent presence at quarterback and not much of a drop-off from Matt Stafford. You could argue that Goff is better than Stafford this year and younger. I’d take Goff myself.
Goff is a top pocket quarterback and benefits from having one of the best offensive lines in the league that keep him protected and allows him to keep his eyes downfield, but it feels this is the best Jared Goff we’ll see. That’s not bad either because he’s considered a franchise quarterback, but I don’t see any more room for growth.
