MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t heard from Brian Flores and doesn’t appear in any rush to do so.

Tagovailoa met with South Florida reporters Monday for the first time since implying Flores is a “terrible person” who didn’t support him during the 2020 season. Tagovailoa did not walk back comments he made on Dan LeBatard’s show last week and had not even seen Flores’ reaction.

After years of giving diplomatic answers, Tagovailoa ripped Flores for failing to support him in his rookie season.

More: Tua Tagovailoa couldn't stand playing for ’terrible person' Brian Flores | Habib

"If you woke up every morning and I told you you suck at what you did, that you don't belong doing what you do, that you shouldn't be here, that guy should be here, that you haven't earned this right," Tagovailoa said on LeBatard’s show. He added, “You have a terrible person telling you things you don't want to hear, or that you probably shouldn't be hearing, you're going to start to believe that about yourself.”

Flores, the former Dolphins head coach and current Minnesota defensive coordinator, told Vikings reporters he had “done a lot of reflecting on this situation.”

Flores added, “I'm happy, genuinely happy, genuinely happy for the success that Tua's had. And I really wish him nothing but the best.”

The Dolphins changed quarterbacks six weeks into that season, surprisingly benching Ryan Fitzpatrick despite Fitzpatrick throwing for more than 300 yards in half the games.

Why was Tagovailoa elevated if Flores was so down on him?

“That’s a great question,” Tagovailoa said. “I’m not going to answer that truthfully right now, but I think I know why. But I won’t speculate or give anyone any speculations on that. Whatever you want to create to think, think that. But other than that, I think that’ll just stay here with the organization.”

Tagovailoa has repeatedly made it clear he feels supported by current coach Mike McDaniel, saying Monday that it’s more important for the franchise quarterback to feel that support than at any other position.

“This is a quarterback-driven league,” he said. “I 100 percent think that. Without a good team, without a good quarterback, I don’t think you can do much in this league. Sure, you can have a good defense. There’s really good offenses in this league. You’ve got to put up points and you’ve got to find ways to do that.”

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at  hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa mum on this Brian Flores question