The Miami Dolphins enters the final stretch of the 2025 season facing pivotal decisions that will shape both its salary cap and long-term future, with the quarterback position once again at the center of uncertainty.
The Miami Dolphins are not only preparing for their final two games of the 2025 season; they are also facing crucial decisions that go beyond wins and losses. These choices will directly impact the team’s financial health and, more importantly, help define its future, especially at the quarterback position, which has unraveled over the past two seasons.
Fans still look back fondly on the summer of 2024, when the franchise announced a four-year, $212 million contract extension for Tua Tagovailoa. At the time, it was seen as the end of one of the most turbulent eras Miami had endured at a critical point. That sense of stability, however, now appears to be gone.
At 27 years old, Tagovailoa was relegated to the bench during the 2025 season. After starting 14 games, throwing 15 interceptions, the highest total of his career to date, and producing just 2,660 passing yards, a sharp decline from his 4,624 yards in 2023, the decision felt inevitable.
Benching Tagovailoa was also a frightening moment for Dolphins fans, who were reminded of the franchise’s long-standing quarterback instability. Following Dan Marino’s departure, Miami cycled through 21 different quarterbacks before Tagovailoa finally took over in the 2020 season, when he appeared in 10 games, starting nine of them.
The quarterback’s demeanor has also come under scrutiny. After a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a video surfaced showing Tagovailoa laughing despite his poor performance, drawing criticism from former NFL star J.J. Watt.
I’m a believer in there is like at least a minimum responsibility on the optics and everything with the fan base and understanding how everybody’s feeling after a certain game or after the way the season is going. I’m not sitting here saying don’t laugh or you can’t talk to a friend after a game or anything like that, but I do think there are some optics of when you’re cracking up, belly laughing on the field after you just lost a huge game in that way to be eliminated from the playoffs.
Watt said.
Tyreek Hill could also be on his way out
Tyreek Hill’s situation is different. The star wide receiver has not had the chance to fully showcase his value in 2025, starting just four games and recording 21 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown, all due to a knee dislocation injury suffered in late September.
A potential release of Hill would allow Miami to save $23.65 million in salary-cap space, money that could be redirected toward finding a replacement for Tagovailoa under center.
Last October, Hill acknowledged that if his career were to end now, he would be at peace with what he has accomplished.
I’m happy with the career that I’ve had. I love playing football. I love it, but it takes a lot. It takes a lot on you mentally, it takes a lot on you physically.
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