Miami's Tua Tagovailoa faced a hiccup in joint practice against Chicago, throwing three picks and leaving some to wonder if pre-season snaps were warranted by a rough practice week. In the actual preseason opener, he went 5-for-6 for 27 yards, with no TDs and no picks, in a 24-24 tie with the Bears. Mike McDaniel explained the one-series approach for the starters as a coaching decision, not a reaction to Friday’s session.

The piece underscores Tagovailoa’s volatile preseason track record but notes the Dolphins win-rate with him on the field (.625) versus without him (.350). Chemistry, especially among receivers, remains a hurdle due to quarterback rotations last season, including Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley. Still, the offense projects as potent with Tagovailoa orchestrating the core weapons when he’s under center.

Fantasy takeaway centers on the Dolphins’ air-raid potential when Tagovailoa is firing, yet health and consistency across the first-team unit temper expectations. The Bears’ defense offered a test, but early-season fantasy outputs hinge on Tagovailoa’s health, the health of Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle, and the offensive line’s steadiness. Preseason results illuminate but do not decide Week 1 odds; volume and efficiency will be the deciding factors.

Overall, the Dolphins appear to be a high-ceiling but high-variance unit in fantasy, capable of explosive weeks when the connection with his top targets is clicking, yet susceptible to disruption if practice-week puzzles persist. The Bears game provided a microcosm: moments of elite potential, balanced by the need for greater consistency and playmaking support around Tagovailoa.