Tua Tagovailoa’s Dolphins’ slide continued on Sunday as they suffered their second straight defeat and fifth overall of the season, falling 29–27 to Justin Herbert’s Los Angeles Chargers. Despite flashes of brilliance on offense, the Dolphins once again failed to finish strong, undone by turnovers and defensive lapses in crucial moments.
Tagovailoa threw for 205 yards and a touchdown but also had three costly interceptions, the last of which sealed Miami’s fate. The loss further deepened frustration within the locker room, and this time, the quarterback didn’t hold back.
After the game, Tagovailoa made it clear that Miami’s problems extend beyond execution on the field. He spoke openly about the team’s lack of discipline and accountability, pointing to deeper issues within the roster’s culture.
According to him, players haven’t been meeting the standards expected of a professional locker room. Some teammates have been late to or skipped players-only meetings, and the leadership group should now question whether such sessions need to be mandatory to ensure full commitment.
“I think it starts with the leadership and helping articulate that for the guys and then what we’re expecting out of the guys,” he SAID. “We have guys showing up to players-only meetings late, guys not showing up to players-only meeting.”
Tua Tagovailoa tells reporters that Dolphins players have been late and/or skipping players-only meetings in recent weeks.
Eye-opening example of problems with 1-5 Miami Dolphins. Tua begins answer: “it starts with the leadership.” (H/T @MiamiDolphins). pic.twitter.com/qVbFLVLxAT
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 12, 2025
The comments were a rare glimpse into what appears to be growing tension inside the organization. Miami started the season with playoff expectations but has looked inconsistent, often struggling to stay focused through four quarters.
Tagovailoa’s frustration reflects a leader demanding change, not just in performance, but in attitude. He has set the tone for accountability, challenging his teammates to match his urgency. Whether that message sparks a turnaround or exposes deeper fractures could define the Dolphins’ season moving forward.
Accountability Talk Isn’t New for Tua Tagovailoa’s Dolphins
During a heated August practice against the Chicago Bears, a fight broke out between linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson. The clash, which started over a disagreement about physicality in a drill, initially seemed like a bad sign.
However, within the organization, it was viewed as evidence that players were finally holding one another accountable, something the team had been striving to instill since the end of last season.
“Honestly in Chicago, with [Brooks and Dodson] — [it was] players holding players accountable,” linebacker Bradley Chubb told ESPN. “We were in the heat of battle, so it got a little bit more heated than it should have…Just guys getting in each other’s face, but at the end of the day, knowing it’s all love and this is about pushing each other to be the best.”
Since their disappointing 2024 campaign, the Dolphins have made sweeping changes to strengthen team culture. Tagovailoa’s latest revelation could be seen as another step in the right direction, but if the problems don’t go away soon, it’ll be a bad sign for the Dolphins.
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