The New York Jets’perpetual search for a franchise quarterback has entered a strategic new phase as the team evaluates a potential move for Tua Tagovailoa.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Jets are “doing homework” on the 28-year-old signal-caller, who is widely expected to be released by the Miami Dolphins before the March 11 league year deadline.
Tagovailoa’s tenure in Miami appears to have ended after a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw him benched for the final three games in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers, leading to a “fresh start” for both the player and the Dolphins’ new coaching staff.
The financial mechanics of the potential move mirror the “Russell Wilson model” from 2024. If Miami designates Tagovailoa as a post-June 1 release, they will be forced to swallow a staggering $99.2 million in dead cap over two years.
Because Tagovailoa still has $54 million in fully guaranteed salary, any new team could theoretically sign him to a veteran minimum deal (approximately $1.3 million) while the Dolphins pay the remainder of his salary.
This low-cost entry point is particularly attractive for a Jets front office currently looking to navigate a “lower-cost effort” at the position after the failed Justin Fields experiment.
Coaching connections and a “Total Reset” strategy
The interest in Tagovailoa is bolstered by a significant coaching link. New Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker joined Aaron Glenn’s staff in January 2026 after spending the previous two seasons as the Dolphins’ pass game coordinator and secondary coach. Duker’s intimate knowledge of Tagovailoa’s preparation and leadership could be a deciding factor for Glenn, who is entering a high-pressure second season following a dismal 3-14 debut.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports that the Jets may look to add multiple veterans to “start fresh,” potentially pairing a starter like Tagovailoa or Kyler Murray with a developmental trade target such as Philadelphia’s Tanner McKee. This approach allows the Jets to remain competitive in 2026 while focusing their long-term resources on a projected “loaded” 2027 quarterback draft class.
Following a flurry of 2025 trade-deadline blockbusters, the Jets have successfully stockpiled five first-round picks over the next two years. With three first-round selections currently owned for 2027, the team appears comfortable using 2026 as a bridge year.
By opting for a “stopgap” veteran like Tagovailoa rather than drafting a quarterback early this April, the Jets hope to replicate the 2017 strategy that saw Josh McCown provide stability before the team eventually moved up to draft Sam Darnold.
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