Cam Newton fires back at Tua Tagovailoa to escalate beef: ‘More Love Island drama than football’

Cam Newton is not finished with Tua Tagovailoa just yet.

In response to Tagovailoa’s comments directed at the former three-time Pro Bowler on Thursday, Newton brought up the Dolphins’ winless start to the 2025 season.

“Anybody can go 0-3,” Newton said during an episode of ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday.

“When I see the situation that’s taken place in Miami. it’s more ‘Love Island’ drama than football,” Newton added. “And in large part, I wouldn’t say it’s all on Tua, but it is a main ingredient, and I just know what he’s capable of.

Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton, center, looks over his team, C1N, during an OT7 football tournament, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. AP

“There [were] times we’ve seen Tua Tagovailoa, and it was at a high level. You don’t make $53 million… by just being a random on the street.”

Tagovailoa has been off to an underwhelming start this season, as the Pro Bowler has already thrown four interceptions with an abysmal 35.7 quarterback rating.

Newton concluded with a call to action for Tagovailoa, telling the sixth-year quarterback to let the ball fly.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. AP

“Let it rip,” Newton said. “When you have Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill and Mike McDaniel as your coach, you have all the assets and amenities. You have once shown that you’re capable. I don’t know what this is in Miami now.”

Newton’s comments come after Tagovailoa dismissed football pundits while talking to reporters Thursday in response to the 2015 Offensive Player of the Year’s initial remarks.

“Well, anybody can play quarterback in this league then. I want to see anybody on the streets come and play quarterback,” Tagovailoa said. “Cam is doing his thing for sure, but I think it’s easier to be able to hold a clicker and talk about it that way or talk about what someone else is doing wrong when you’re not going out and having to do the same as them.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa speaks to reporters after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. AP

“I think it’s easy to do that, I think anybody can do that. I don’t think anybody can play quarterback.”

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Newton initially called out Tagovailoa’s performance in relation to the four-year, $212 million extension the Dolphins’ quarterback signed last summer.

“Tagovailoa is making more than Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Jayden Daniels,” Newton said on an earlier episode of “First Take.” “Am I pocket watching? No, I’m putting things into perspective here.

“In this case, it should be more money, more expectations. … What you’re being paid, what you’re asked to do, what you have the capability of — from one quarterback to the other, I look at the situation like come on dawg. Especially when you’ve got a Ferrari and a Lamborghini and other amenities that other quarterbacks wish they had.”

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