Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ignored comments from DeShon Elliott about the team's mental toughness. The Dolphins' defense wasn't as forgiving.
In a podcast appearance, Elliott — who spent 2023 with Miami and is now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers — said the Dolphins were it and consists largely of “not mentally strong individuals”.
“Honestly, man, if you want to call someone, do it and name names, but other than that, whatever floats your boat, gives you a good night's sleep,” Dolphins safety Jevón Holland told reporters Wednesday. “But if you don't call anyone by name, don't denounce anyone, then all other comments are simply empty. At this point you’re just talking.”
Just came out of the locker. Several Dolphins were upset by Elliott's comment. Kohou, a very tough guy: “He’s not here for a reason. I don't know why he goes on a podcast and says something crazy like that. If that's how he feels, he could have gone on the podcast and said what…
– Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz)
Who exactly was soft?
– Nik Needham (@FOETYY)
Although Elliott's criticism was more pointed, he was not the first to make such a statement. His successor in the starting lineup, Jordan Poyer, gave a similar assessment of the Dolphins just months after joining the team in the offseason.
“When you play against this team in the last few years, you kind of feel like, 'Okay, if you get to the top of this team, maybe they'll give up'” . “That’s just being honest, so what happens in the moments where we get punched in the mouth?”
Elliott spent one season with the Dolphins after starting his career with the Baltimore Ravens.
