MIAMI GARDENS — Tua Tagovailoa has a signed $212 million contract but as he stood in front of general manager Chris Grier, negotiator Brandon Shore, coach Mike McDaniel, coordinator Frank Smith, assistant Darrell Bevell, Tua's wife, children and gathered media on Sunday, there's one thing Tua knows he does not yet have.

A Miami Dolphins playoff victory.

And to Tua's credit, he addressed it head on - repeatedly - in his contract extension news conference.

"Heavy is the crown," Tua said, acknowledging expectations and pressure will increase.

"Right now, I'm the highest paid employee in this office," Tua added.

More: Credit Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel for pushing Tua Tagovailoa contract over finish line | Habib

Love this.

Tua and the Dolphins have not won a playoff game in his first four NFL seasons.

Tua Tagovailoa contract in hand, Dolphins playoff wins must follow

It's time.

"He knows what time it is," McDaniel said of Tua, earlier in the day.

Yes, Tua does.

He knows Miami has zero playoff wins as a franchise in 24 years.

"We haven't won the games that we wanted to win," Tua said. "You know, deep into the playoffs, get deep into the playoffs. You know, win the games that matter."

Tua is taking this thing head on.

The Dolphins were 1-6 against teams that made the playoffs last season.

They were 10-1 against non-playoff teams.

"We can determine what the narrative is," McDaniel said - and Tua agreed.

Tua Tagovailoa and Miami Dolphins must change narratives - soon

The Dolphins are 24-9 in Tua starts in September, October and November.

The Dolphins are 10-11 in Tua starts in December and January.

Tua must - I mean, duh - rise his level of play in late-season games.

And, again, Tua was beating that drum himself on Sunday.

Tua knows he must lift this team up. Tua knows it's about team wins now.

'I could have had the worst passer rating," Tua said. "I could have, you know, threw for a thousand yards, but if we were in those games and we were winning those big-time games, and we got to go and win the championship. I mean I'd trade all of that. I'd trade all of that for that."

Of course if Tua wasn't among the league leaders in passing, he wouldn't have received this type of contract.

Tua must defeat the narrative, as McDaniel would say, that he can't handle the cold.

Well, Tua does love playing in South Florida games. And in an ideal world, Miami wins the AFC East this year and secures an actual home playoff game or games.

Tua Tagovailoa must improve in cold-weather starts

Tua is 0-7 in starts where the temperature is below 40 degrees.

Look, it's not easy for anyone to win in places like Kansas City, Buffalo, Green Bay and Pittsburgh.

But, at some point, the Dolphins and Tua are going to have to prove they can do it.

Tua has never seemed happier than he did during Sunday's news conference.

And why wouldn't he be?

Tua has $93.2 million guaranteed at signing.

More: Teammates expect same old Tua Tagovailoa after Dolphins quarterback's massive contract

What does that guarantee? Well, it does not guarantee postseason success.

But the Dolphins clearly believe he is good enough to lead Miami to just that.

"I also want to thank Mr. Ross, you know, for entrusting me this opportunity of leadership," Tua said of team owner Stephen Ross. "For entrusting this role for me on this team, and trusting that I'm the guy that's going to lead this team to what we want to do in winning playoff games and winning championships."

Ross, an 84-year-old billionaire, listened to McDaniel, who backed the idea that Tua is the right player to break this lengthy playoff drought.

That's what Tua is being paid to do and it's what he must do.

He knows.

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tua Tagovailoa will be handsomely paid. Now he must deliver playoff wins | Schad