The Miami Dolphins have reached a pivotal decision at quarterback – and it appears Tua Tagovailoa’s time in South Florida is coming to an end.
With the NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up and the new league year approaching, Miami has reportedly informed teams that trade interest in Tagovailoa has been minimal. As a result, the Dolphins are now expected to move toward a post-June 1 release designation rather than finding a trade partner.
Tagovailoa, selected No. 5 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, once looked like the long-term answer. After a rocky start under former head coach Brian Flores, his development surged under Mike McDaniel. In 2023, he led the league with 4,624 passing yards and earned his first Pro Bowl selection.
But momentum faded quickly for TUA
Injuries, including multiple concussions, disrupted his confidence and availability. He missed six games in 2024, and although he was largely healthy in 2025, his production regressed sharply. Turnovers resurfaced as a major concern, and Miami’s offense stalled in key moments.
Complicating matters is the massive four-year, $212.4 million extension Tagovailoa signed in 2024. That deal makes moving on both financially painful and strategically complex.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Miami explored trade options but may have no choice but to release him.
The Dolphins continue to tell people that they’ve had trade talks with teams and haven’t given up on trying to trade Tagovailoa, but based on my conversations with other teams, I’m skeptical, and I expect Miami to release Tagovailoa by the third day of the league year.
The financial fallout of a Tua release
Releasing Tagovailoa outright would trigger a staggering $99.2 million dead cap hit. However, designating him as a post-June 1 cut would allow the Dolphins to spread that financial burden over the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Even with that maneuver, Miami would still absorb significant cap consequences. The team could attempt to negotiate void years or restructure guarantees, but time is limited. Tagovailoa’s 2026 salary becomes fully guaranteed on March 13, adding urgency to the situation.
The Dolphins appear to be entering a full-scale rebuild, and moving on from their former franchise quarterback signals a dramatic shift. Despite being surrounded by elite weapons – including Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Darren Waller, Jonnu Smith, and De’Von Achane – Tagovailoa struggled to consistently elevate the offense when it mattered most.
Now, Miami faces its next critical question: who replaces him?
Whether through the draft, free agency, or a veteran trade target, the Dolphins must quickly identify a new direction under center.
What once looked like a promising partnership between Tagovailoa and McDaniel has unraveled in record time – leaving Miami to reset its future at the game’s most important position.
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