The Atlanta Falcons have yet to name a starting quarterback, but they will give veteran Tua Tagovailoa the nod in Friday's preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins. Tagovailoa spent his first six NFL seasons in Miami before getting released during the offseason.
While Dolphins fans are reportedly preparing to "boo" the former Pro Bowl QB in his return to Hard Rock Stadium, one of Tua's former teammates is planning his own type of special greeting.
Edge rusher Chop Robinson said he was looking forward to finally getting the chance to sack Tagovailoa in Friday's game.
"It's going to be fun, especially since in practice, we couldn't hit him," said Robinson. "But now, it's a game. If I would not be able to hit him, I hope I get close to him."
Robinson,
a former first-round pick out of Penn State, spent two seasons lining up across the line of scrimmage from Tagovailoa. And while he clearly had some fun talking about hitting Tua on Friday night, Robinson also called his former quarterback a "great teammate" and wished him well in Atlanta.
"Again, he was a good guy - a great teammate. I wish him the best and I hope he's doing good over here."
Dolphins edge Chop Robinson, after never getting to hit Tua in practice when the QB was in Miami, said he hopes he gets to do so in the preseason game against the Falcons.
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) August 26, 2026
Later asked if he’ll tell him it’s just business, not personal if he sacks Tua:
“Nah, I mean, it’s… pic.twitter.com/v1iqtfMr4C
Over his first two NFL seasons in Miami, Robinson has recorded 47 tackles (26 solo), 10 sacks and 21 QB hits in 32 games (four starts). The Dolphins are hoping the third-year edge rusher can finally break out this season under new head coach Jeff Hafley
As for Tagovailoa, he passed for 18,166 passing yards, 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions over six years with the Dolphins. Tua led the team to a 44-32 record in 76 starts.
Obviously, fans have the right to do whatever they want, but Tagovailoa put his body on the line for nearly twice the span of the average NFL career, so perhaps they will reconsider booing him on Friday night.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Dolphins EDGE licking his chops to sack Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa
