As Terron Armstead settles into life after football, he’s offering fans a rare inside look at the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback room — and his words about Tua Tagovailoa are generating serious buzz.
Appearing recently on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike radio show, Armstead compared Tagovailoa’s clutch moments to none other than Drew Brees, the legendary quarterback he played alongside for years with the New Orleans Saints.
“I wholeheartedly believe in Tua,” Armstead said.
“There are times when he goes into what I call ‘sniper mode’ — that elite focus where everything slows down, and he picks apart defenses like Brees used to.”
That kind of praise carries weight, especially coming from someone who has seen both quarterbacks up close.
The Weight of Comparing Tua to Brees
Comparing any modern QB to Drew Brees is no small talk.
Brees is widely regarded as one of the smartest and most precise passers in NFL history — a player who led the Saints to a Super Bowl victory, rewrote the record books, and thrived despite not being the biggest or most athletic quarterback on the field.
Tagovailoa, while showing flashes of brilliance, still has work to do before reaching that level.
Still, Armstead isn’t wrong to see the similarities:
- Elite accuracy
- Advanced pocket awareness
- Poise under pressure
And perhaps most importantly, the ability to enter “sniper mode” when the game matters most.
Why This Comparison Matters to the Dolphins?
For the Miami Dolphins, this kind of validation comes at a crucial time.
After missing the playoffs last year, expectations are rising again in South Florida — and so is the pressure on Tagovailoa to deliver more consistently in crunch time.
Armstead emphasized that if Tua can maintain that laser focus throughout the season — and stay healthy — the sky is the limit.
“He’s got that championship DNA,” Armstead said.
“Now it’s about putting it together over 17 games.”
That message resonates with fans hoping to see a leap forward in 2025.
The Road Ahead: Staying Healthy, Leading the Way
While Armstead sees a lot of Brees in Tagovailoa, he also acknowledges the biggest hurdle ahead:
Staying upright.
“You don’t win without keeping your QB clean,” he added.
It’s a sentiment shared by many within the organization. If the Dolphins want to maximize Tua’s talent, they must protect him better — something they’ve struggled with in recent seasons.
With new offensive line additions and a revamped coaching approach, there’s hope Miami can provide the support he needs.
But ultimately, it’ll be up to Tua to seize the moment, just like Brees did, year after year.
Armstead’s New Chapter: Mentorship and Media
Off the field, Armstead is already making an impact.
He recently launched a YouTube channel, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at his final weeks with the Dolphins, including holiday charity events and team dinners.
One standout moment featured Patrick Paul, Miami’s incoming left tackle, sharing how much Armstead helped him during the transition.
“He gave me the confidence to step in and play at this level,” Paul said.
That mentorship role only adds to Armstead’s legacy — and gives Dolphins fans comfort knowing his leadership lives on, even in retirement.
Final Takeaway: A Vote of Confidence for Tua and the Dolphins
Armstead may have hung up his cleats, but his belief in Tua hasn’t wavered.
His comparison to Drew Brees isn’t just flattery — it’s a reminder that greatness often starts with mindset, precision, and poise.
If Tagovailoa can tap into that same mental edge week after week — and the Dolphins can keep him healthy — then Armstead’s bold claim might not seem so far-fetched after all.
When does Tua find his rhythm?
He does look unstoppable.
