Things are getting tense for the Dolphins and head coach Brian Flores, according to a report from CBS Sports.
The team is on the heels of a five-game losing streak, with a loss in London to the Jaguars accelerating the issue, per CBS. Owner Stephen Ross is reportedly becoming concerned about the direction of the team.
“There is still too much of that New England (stuff) going on,” a source told CBS. “It just doesn’t work. There is a psychology to handling players and building a team, and you have to be able to connect and motivate. That’s not the vibe there. It’s pretty bad.”
Some of the frustration revolves around the treatment of Tua Tagovailoa, who has been in and out of the starting job. The Dolphins have been linked to Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in trade talks — if that happens, they would presumably try to turn around and trade Tagovailoa. According to CBS, people close to Tagovailoa believe he’s not been embraced fully by the staff, and personnel issues with the offense have resulted in him being put in a tough position to succeed.
“There is a really negative vibe down there right now,” a source told CBS. “A lot of players do not trust (Flores). Flo thinks he’s a player’s coach, with an open-door policy, but I know a number of players who would tell you they don’t really think he is approachable or flexible.”
Things have gotten progressively downhill for Miami since a Week 1 win at New England. Handing the Jaguars their first win of the season last week was the nadir for a team that won 10 games last season.
Tagovailoa did play in that one, going 33-for-47 for 329 yards and two touchdowns, after missing three games with fractured ribs.
“I don’t really get into rumors — Tua is our quarterback,” Flores said when asked about the Watson rumors, per ESPN. “We’re happy with our quarterback, our quarterback situation. I’ll leave it at that, which I’ve said multiple times.”