Second-year Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa could end up being a pawn in the team’s continued chase after Houston Texans star Deshaun Watson.
Reports indicate that Miami is hopeful to get a deal done to acquire Watson ahead of the Nov. 2 NFL trade deadline. If that were to happen, Tua would be moved from South Beach less than two calendar years after the Dolphins selected him No. 5 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Interestingly, the Texans apparently have no interest in acquiring Tua Tagovailoa from Miami in any potential Watson deal — meaning a third team would have to get involved.
Despite issues with injuries and inconsistency, Tua is still only 23 years old and boasts a nice amount of upside. There’s a number of quarterback-needy teams who would have interest in the young signal caller. Below, we look at five ideal scenarios.
Related: Updated NFL trade rumors
Tua Tagovailoa trade to the New Orleans Saints
Through the first five games of his initial season as New Orleans’ starter, it’s an open question whether Jameis Winston is the long-term solution in the Bayou. He’s thrown 12 touchdowns against three interceptions on the season. However, the former No. 1 pick is completing just 60% of his passes and has been even more inconsistent than Tua.
From a logical perspective, Tagovailoa seems to be a perfect fit in Sean Payton’s system. He boasts nearly the same frame as recently-retired future Hall of Famer Drew Brees and was compared to the former Saints quarterback during his days with the Crimson Tide. Perhaps, New Orleans offers up Michael Thomas to the Fins for Tua. It could also take part in a larger three-team trade by sending draft assets to the rebuilding Texans.
Related: Updated NFL QB rankings
Tua Tagovailoa trade to the Denver Broncos
This is one of the teams that has been bandied about the most regarding Tua. I am hearing that there’s a certain level of interest from new Broncos general manager George Paton. And in reality, it makes a lot of sense.
Denver made it clear that former second-round pick Drew Lock is not the answer under center after naming veteran journeyman Teddy Bridgewater its starting quarterback. In turn, Bridgewater is leading an offense that ranks in the bottom 11 in scoring and 21st in total yards. He’s pretty much tapped out. This could make a lot of sense for a Broncos team that has lost three consecutive and still boasts a defense capable of earning a playoff spot with better quarterback play.
Related: Updated NFL Playoff and Super Bowl predictions
Tua Tagovailoa trade to the Washington Football Team
Recently, reports have indicated that Washington is interested in acquiring Tua from Miami. Sure there’s limitations to the quarterback’s game, but he’s a much better option than what Ron Rivera and Co. have in-house.
Washington signed Ryan Fitzpatrick this past spring to be a stopgap option. He’s currently sidelined with a career backup in Taylor Heinicke starting under center. Washington boasts a 2-4 record after earning a surprise division title last season. In short, this team needs a quarterback of both the present and the future. Hence, the team’s reported interest in Tua.
Related: Updated NFL power rankings
Tua Tagovailoa trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Speaking of needing a quarterback of the future, it’s rather clear that Ben Roethlisberger is on his last legs. The 39-year-old signal caller has seen a major decline in ability and could very well opt to retire following the 2021 season.
Regardless of what Pittsburgh’s brass thinks of Mason Rudolph, the objective person can easily conclude he’s not a realistic option. General manager Kevin Colbert has dropped the ball in recent years when it comes to finding a potential replacement for Big Ben. He could rectify that by acquiring Tua ahead of the NFL trade deadline and starting him next season.
Tua Tagovailoa trade to the Philadelphia Eagles
Is Tua an upgrade over Jalen Hurts? The jury is out on that. What we do know is that Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman had interest in the former Alabama standout heading into the 2020 NFL Draft when it became clear that Carson Wentz wasn’t the long-term option.
There’s a scenario in play here that suggests Philadelphia gets in on Watson. The team has been linked to him on a never-ending loop. Even then, picking up Tua Tagovailoa as an afterthought in a three-team trade could bode well for the Eagles. It would also enable the team to keep its likely three first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.