Chris Perkins: Tua is hitting his stride, playing perhaps the best of his career

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — On third-and-goal from the Las Vegas Raiders’ 8-yard line last week, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa showed how far he’s come in a short amount of time this season.

I’m excited about what I saw.

In fact, I think I’m finally ready to buy my ticket for the Tua bandwagon (although my admission might be denied).

On this particular play against the Raiders, Tua dropped back in the pocket and surveyed the field. No one was open, and there was a pass rush from his right.

Tua rolled then rolled to his left.

But as he did, he tucked the ball and took a slight glance behind him to check for the pursuit.

I loved that simple progression of moves from Tua.

It was absolutely brilliant.

Tua, a quarterback who has had fumbling issues, including in the Arizona game, consciously tucked the ball and looked for the backside pursuit.

Knowing that the ball-security part of the play was taken care of, Tua used his legs, another newfound ability, to buy time and then he found Hill in the end zone for the touchdown.

“In those moments you see the growth,” offensive coordinator Frank Smith said.

Those are the moments that make me think Tua is playing the best football of his career right now, in this four-game stretch since returning from his concussion.

I’m hopeful and optimistic by what I’m seeing from Tua right now.

I see patience. I see third-down success. I see progress.

I think this is a better Tua than we saw in 2022 or 2023.

A few weeks ago I wrote that I miss Tua’s locker-room presence.

Tua has grown more comfortable with the media in the locker room since late last season. We chat him up every now and then. He smiles often. He laughs with us. It’s fun.

I like his personality.

I also like his on-field results.

I’m not a big analytics or numbers guy.

I use them, of course. But I largely use the eye test and common sense.

I like what I’m seeing from Tua, and even more importantly, I like what he’s being asked to do nowadays.

Throwing short- and medium-range passes to running back De’Von Achane and tight end Jonnu Smith is working well, and Tua is thriving in this system.

You know that I still have concerns with this offense overall. I’ve documented that. I still need to see more, and I need to see it against better-quality opponents.

Set that aside. That’s for later.

This is about Tua.

Because of Tua, I’m more excited about the potential of this offense than I was about the potential of the big-pass offense.

I think this offense fits Tua’s game better, it fits his skill set better, and it fits his mentality better.

You want the numbers?

For the season, Tua has nine touchdowns, four interceptions and a strong 101.5 passer rating while completing an impressive 73.4% of his passes.

In Tua’s last four games, since his return from the concussion, he’s 101 of 130 (.777) for 960 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception with a sparkling 112.2 passer rating.

The Dolphins are averaging 27.8 points per game in their last four games.

Granted, the Dolphins are 2-2 in that span so we still don’t know what we have in this revamped offense.

But Tua has been magical in many ways.

“My biggest thing is he’s not fat any more so he can move,” wisecracking wide receiver Tyreek Hill said. “He’s more mobile.”

Let’s give credit to coach Mike McDaniel, too.

McDaniel’s shift from a big-play passing offense to a ball-control offense led by a run game and a short-to-medium-range passing game has seemingly helped Tua.

Perhaps it’s because Tua doesn’t have to force those downfield passes that sometimes led to bad decisions.

Perhaps it’s because now he doesn’t have to placate his speedy wide receivers, Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Whatever the case, Tua is getting the job done.

I’ll add this just for kicks, I like the salty/peppery Tua we’ve seen recently.

Tua didn’t like answering questions on the podium about his concussion, and he didn’t like answering questions on the podium about his tackling style after an interception.

And he let us know both times.

I have no problem with any of that.

I actually respect that.

I like Tua’s new attitude as much as I like his on-field play.

Hopefully, it all adds up to a third consecutive playoff berth.