Flores sticks up for Tua: 'I'm happy with our quarterback'

Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores gave Tua Tagovailoa a vote of confidence Friday amid persistent trade speculation involving Deshaun Watson.

"I don't really get into rumors," Flores told reporters, via Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "Tua's our quarterback. I'm happy with our quarterback, our quarterback situation, and I'll leave it at that."

The Dolphins have been linked to Watson for months. The Houston Texans quarterback requested a trade at the beginning of the offseason, and recent reports indicate the Dolphins could finalize a deal for Watson before the Nov. 2 trade deadline.

Miami drafted Tagovailoa fifth overall in 2020. He's yet to look like the superstar he was at Alabama, but he hasn't played much this year due to fractured ribs he suffered in Week 2. Flores has publicly backed Tagovailoa since the end of his rookie campaign.

"Really, he's played in two games this year," Flores said. "So he should have a lot of confidence in the way he's played. We have a lot of confidence in him because of the way he's played."

Tagovailoa threw for 329 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in his return to the lineup in Week 6, a loss in London to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars.

Watson hasn't played in 2021. He's facing 22 lawsuits and 10 criminal complaints from women who say he committed sexual assault or misconduct, but the NFL has said he's eligible to play for the time being.