MIAMI GARDENS, Fla>> Tua Tagovailoa has never liked to make things about himself.

Somehow, the Miami Dolphins quarterback is always a topic of discussion.

Tagovailoa has been one of the NFL’s most-discussed quarterbacks since the Dolphins selected him with the No. 5 pick in 2020, from debates about his health and work ethic to criticism about his arm strength and ability to lead the Dolphins for years to come.

Tagovailoa has insisted that he doesn’t care about those outside discussions, but Wednesday, he made it clear that he hears it.

“I understand that my platform and who I am in this league as a quarterback makes me, if you want, polarizing,” Tagovailoa said. “Whether I’m the best, whether I’m the worst, I could care less.”

He added: “I keep receipts. We all have a way of how we do things.”

Tagovailoa entered the NFL with high expectations after leading Alabama to a national championship in college.

But his first two NFL seasons were wrapped in turmoil as Miami’s offense struggled and rumors swirled of a strained relationship between Tagovailoa and then-Miami coach Brian Flores.

Tagovailoa is having one of the best seasons of his career in 2023: He leads the NFL with 3,921 yards and is on pace to become Miami’s first 4,000-yard passer since Dan Marino threw for 4,116 yards in 1992. Tagovailoa also ranks second in passer rating (106.0), is tied for fifth in passing touchdowns (25) and is second in yards per pass attempt (8.6).

RODGERS ACTIVATED AS PART OF REHAB>> Aaron Rodgers will remain on the practice field to continue working on his return for the New York Jets — for next season.

Coach Robert Saleh announced the four-time NFL MVP was being activated from the injured reserve list, a move that’s merely the next step in Rodgers’ rehabilitation from a torn left Achilles tendon.

The 40-year-old Rodgers said Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show” he’s not yet 100% healthy and is still a few weeks away. He said if the Jets remained in the playoff hunt, he would have pushed to play Sunday, but New York was eliminated from postseason contention for the 13th straight year.

Meanwhile, quarterback Zach Wilson remains in the concussion protocol. If Wilson can’t play Sunday, Trevor Siemian would start in his place. Brett Rypien also is on the roster.

STROUD STILL IN CONCUSSION PROTOCOL>> Quarterback C.J. Stroud remains in the concussion protocol and could miss a second straight game Sunday when Houston hosts Cleveland in a key AFC matchup.

Coach DeMeco Ryans said that Stroud was doing better, but that he didn’t know when he’d be cleared to play.

“We’re going through the protocol and each person, each concussion is different,” Ryans said.

SO IS TREVOR LAWRENCE>> Trevor Lawrence was in the facility but still in the NFL’s concussion protocol Wednesday, leaving the Jacksonville Jaguars preparing to play without their star quarterback for the first time in three seasons.

Coach Doug Pederson said Lawrence is “progressing well” but declined to speculate on Lawrence’s chances of gaining clearance before Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay (7-7).

“Still in the protocol,” Pederson said. “Progressing well.”

TOMLIN WON’T BENCH WR PICKENS>> Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin believes second-year wide receiver George Pickens’ growth off the field remains a work in progress but will not bench Pickens on Saturday when Cincinnati visits.

Pickens has drawn scrutiny outside the organization for his lack of hustle of late, particularly in a loss to Indianapolis last weekend in which replays caught him declining to block downfield for teammate Jaylen Warren and jogging after an Indianapolis interception rather than attempting to make a tackle.

CB JOHNSON STICKING WITH BEARS>> Star cornerback Jaylon Johnson says he would sign a new contract with the Chicago Bears instead of testing the free agent market if they made the right offer.

“I want to stay here,” Johnson said. “I definitely want to get something done (here) first. But at the end of the day, if something doesn’t get done, then I’m not opposed to any other options. But I would love to stay here.”