Decision on Tua Tagovailoa Approaching for Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa’s choice seems imminent as the NFL’s new year draws near.
The Miami Dolphins, gearing up for the next season, will soon have to decide on their six-year quarterback. New general manager John-Eric Sullivan mentioned they are “getting close” to a decision.
During a fan event on Thursday, both Sullivan and new coach Jeff Hafley addressed questions regarding Tagovailoa’s future and whether Miami might explore other quarterback options in the upcoming draft.
“Obviously, we’re going to evaluate other quarterbacks in this draft,” Sullivan acknowledged. “That’s just part of the process. Be honest—it’s what we do every year. Tua recently had a great discussion with me. He’s a solid player in the league and has contributed a lot to the Dolphins. Fans should feel good about having him.”
He continued, “At this point, we can’t really predict the future. I was open with Tua about that. We’re in the middle of making some decisions. What I can assure you is that whether he’s part of the team or not, we’ll be introducing competition in that position, just as we will everywhere else. We aim to elevate the level of play. Tua knows where we stand. We’ve been straightforward with him, and he’ll be the first to hear from us when we reach a decision. You’ll have to wait for the news until he does.”
According to Sullivan, “We’re nearing a conclusion. Once we’ve made our choice, Tua will be informed about whether he’ll continue with us, and we’ll move forward. But rest assured, competition will be added to the quarterback room to ensure we create the best environment possible.”
After Sullivan spoke, Hafley quipped, “Honestly, I don’t think I need to add anything more.”
Tagovailoa has been with Miami since being picked fifth overall in the 2020 draft. His status will significantly impact the team, regardless of whether he stays or is released.
At 27, he has $54 million guaranteed through 2026 from a four-year, $212 million deal signed with the Dolphins in 2024 under former GM Chris Grier.
If the team opts to let him go, Tagovailoa could incur a cap charge of $99 million, contingent on when the move is made—before or after June 1. Delaying his release until after June 1 would lessen the impact to the following season.
Also, if a trade occurs, that would involve a significant salary commitment.
The new league year kicks off on March 11, followed by free agency, and the 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25.
If Miami decides to keep Tagovailoa, they’ll need to pay him, though he may not necessarily be on the field. The real challenge, it seems, lies in how to manage his potential exit from the team.
Last season was particularly rough for the Dolphins, who finished with a record of 7 wins and 10 losses.
Over 14 games, Tagovailoa threw for 2,660 yards, with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, reaching a 67.7 completion percentage. Notably, this was the highest number of interceptions he’s thrown in a season. He sat out the final three games in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers.
Following a season without playoffs, the Dolphins are eager for a fresh start. The coaching staff has already seen changes, with the firing of former coach Mike McDaniel, who recorded a 35-33 record without securing a playoff win.
