The Miami Dolphins are expected to move on from Tua Tagovailoa this offseason, six seasons after making him the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Of course, first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and first-year head coach Jeff Hafley could decide that keeping the one-time Pro Bowl quarterback is best for the team’s future.
Though, oftentimes, a new regime wants to get its own quarterback in town. That could be the case with Tagovailoa too. However, moving on from a player who is already guaranteed a $54 million salary in 2026 won’t be easy.
Recently, Sports Boom’s NFL insider Jason La Canfora spoke with an anonymous general manager and an unknown league executive. Neither of them believe the Dolphins are positioned well to move on from Tagovailoa. One GM even said the Dolphins are “f—ed.”
“That contract is untradeable. We already know they’re willing to eat a s–tload of it, but I just don’t see a market for him. I think they’re stuck with him, and he’s stuck with them. I don’t think they can pawn him off on anyone. Arizona has a much better chance to trading their problem (Kyler Murray) than Miami does.”
Anonymous NFL GM on Tua Tagovailoa
Another unknown NFL executive said Tagovailoa has a “terrible contract that nobody wants to touch.” Tagovailoa is under contract through 2028, and he’s entering season two of a four-year, $212 million deal.
“They’re going to have to suck it up and cut him, which will kill their cap, or just keep him… It’s a four-pronged problem, really for them. One, the player can’t really push the ball down the field and isn’t a play maker at that position. Two, there are real leadership issues there and he’s been a huge problem in their lockeroom. Guys don’t respond to him and he doesn’t come off as genuine at all. It’s like RGIII 2.0 (fallen former star Robert Griffin III). Three, the concussion history alone is a no-go for a lot teams. Four, it’s a terrible fu—king contract that nobody wants to touch.”
Unknown NFL exec on Tagovailoa
The Dolphins are reportedly willing to eat a large portion of Tagovailoa’s salary to help make a trade more enticing. That could be their only path to getting him off their books while still getting something in return.
Related: NFL Trade Candidates 2026: 10 NFL Starters Who Could Be Moved This Offseason
