Following quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s benching in December and his subsequent demotion to third-string status, many believed his time with the Miami Dolphins was over. Yet, with a new general manager and head coach at the helm, the Dolphins are reportedly rethinking their approach to Tagovailoa’s future as the 2026 NFL season approaches, amid ongoing Tua Tagovailoa trade rumors.
New Leadership Reconsiders Tagovailoa’s Role
The Miami Dolphins’ fresh management appears to be exploring the possibility of retaining Tua Tagovailoa for the upcoming years. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald indicates that the team’s preference is to trade Tagovailoa during the offseason, even if that means absorbing a large portion of his contract financially. Currently, Tagovailoa is under contract through the next three seasons, with a 2026 cap hit of $56.267 million and a base salary of $39 million.
Financial Challenges Surrounding Tagovailoa’s Contract
Cutting Tagovailoa proves difficult due to the significant dead cap penalties involved. According to Spotrac data, releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would result in a $67.4 million dead cap charge in the current season and $31.8 million in 2027. While the expected departure of All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill could free up $22.8 million in salary cap space if executed before March 11, the Dolphins still lack sufficient room to cut Tagovailoa without seriously hampering the team’s ability to strengthen other areas.
Complications in Executing a Trade
Teams that require a quarterback are understandably cautious about Tagovailoa’s hefty contract, limiting Miami’s trade options. This situation places the Dolphins in a challenging spot, as there is an inherent financial risk whether they keep or release him. A comparable scenario occurred in 2017 when the Houston Texans traded Brock Osweiler, along with a second-round draft pick, to the Cleveland Browns in what was essentially a salary dump. The Browns accepted Osweiler’s contract in exchange for draft capital.
Dolphins’ Strategy Could Involve Trading with Financial Incentives
Currently, the Dolphins appear to be signaling a willingness to hold onto Tagovailoa, perhaps to strengthen their leverage during trade talks. However, this tactic may backfire, likely forcing Miami to include a draft pick alongside Tagovailoa and agree to cover part of his salary to finalize a trade. This reflects the complicated nature of managing large contracts in today’s NFL environment and signals a tumultuous offseason ahead for the Dolphins as they navigate roster and cap management challenges.
