Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa fires back at Cam Newton

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa fires back at Cam Newton originally appeared on The Sporting News

It's been a challenging season for Miami Dolphins starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Moreover, the Alabama product is at the center of criticism, especially from former NFL player Cam Newton.

"Tua Tagovailoa is making more than Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Jayden Daniels," Newton said on last Friday's edition of ESPN's "First Take." "Am I pocket watching? No, no, no. I'm putting things into perspective here. What did [rapper] Biggie [Smalls] say? 'More money, more problems.' Well, in this case, it should be, 'More money, more expectations.'"

"When I see Tua Tagovailoa, over this year alone, I've heard him more than I ever have. That's not to say you can't talk, but I like quiet Tua, Alabama Tua, chip-on-the-shoulder Tua," Newton added. "What you're being paid, what you're asked to do, what you have the capability of, from one quarterback to the other, I look at the situation like, bro c'mon, especially when you have a Ferrari and a Lamborghini and other amenities that some quarterbacks wish they had."

Tua Tagovailoa breaks his silence on Cam Newton

Last summer, Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension that not only made him the highest-paid player in Dolphins history but also placed him among the NFL's top-10 highest-paid quarterbacks.

As a result, there's been more criticism of Tagovailoa. Nonetheless, rather than ignore the noice, he fired off a shot at his critics, primarily Newton while speaking to the media on Thursday.

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"I want to see anybody on the streets come play QB," Tagovailoa said (h/t Ari Meirov). "Cam is doing his thing, but I think it's easier to hold a clicker and talk about what someone else is doing wrong when you're not out there having to do the same."

Tagovailoa has thrown five touchdown passes so far this season but has already been picked off four times. He ranks 19th in passer rating (87.1) and is tied for the second-most interceptions in the league.