Raiders coach Antonio Pierce Slams Tua Tagovailoa Straight To Retirement

Once again, the question will circulate on whether he should retire or not, although head coach Mike McDaniel admittedly wants nothing to do with those conversations right now. On Friday, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce had some telling advice for Tagovailoa, saying he should retire and do what’s best for the family, per Tashan Reed of The Athletic and Heidi Fang.

It’s been a common theme since Tagovailoa suffered the injury against the Bills, and there are a lot of concerns for the Dolphins signal-caller who just signed a massive extension in the offseason.

For now, the Dolphins are turning to backup Skylar Thompson in Tagovailoa’s absence, although it remains to be seen how much time he will miss.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce made headlines by urging Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to retire after suffering another concussion in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season. Pierce, a former NFL linebacker, expressed deep concern for Tagovailoa’s health, advising him to prioritize his long-term well-being over football. “To be honest, I’d tell him to retire. It’s not worth it,” Pierce stated, emphasizing the importance of living a full life beyond football and protecting his family【12†source】.

Tagovailoa’s concussion history has raised serious concerns over the past few seasons. His most recent injury occurred during the Dolphins’ loss to the Buffalo Bills, marking at least his third concussion in recent memory. Pierce’s comments reflect a growing sentiment around the league, where players and coaches are becoming increasingly vocal about the risks of repeated head trauma in football.

Despite signing a major contract extension, Tagovailoa’s health has sparked debates about whether he should step away from the game before further harm occurs. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, while not commenting on retirement, acknowledged the need to manage Tua’s health carefully, while the Dolphins are relying on backup quarterback Skylar Thompson until further updates on Tagovailoa’s condition emerge.

The broader conversation around Tagovailoa’s future reflects the increasing awareness of player safety and the long-term impacts of concussions in the NFL. Pierce’s remarks, though controversial, highlight the difficult choices athletes face when balancing their careers and their health【12†source】【6†source】.