The Miami Dolphins appear poised to make significant changes at the quarterback position, with NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport expressing surprise if Tua Tagovailoa remains with the team in 2026. The franchise’s recent leadership changes, including the appointments of Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager and Jeff Hafley as head coach, hint at a new direction after a disappointing 2025 season and elevate speculation about a possible Tua Tagovailoa trade.
Rapoport highlighted the challenges linked to Tagovailoa’s contract but suggested Miami might be willing to absorb a substantial portion of the financial burden to facilitate a trade.
“I would be surprised if Tua was in Miami,”
Rapoport said.
“I think they could trade him, but they’re going to have to eat a lot of the contract to do — which is okay, they’re paying it anyways so might as well eat $30 million, what’s the difference?”
Reviewing Tagovailoa’s Performance and Contract Impact
Tua Tagovailoa, 27, recently completed his sixth NFL season, appearing in 14 games in 2025. He threw for 2,660 yards, completing 67.7 percent of his passes, with 20 touchdowns and a career-high 15 interceptions. The 27-year-old endured 30 sacks and finished the season with a passer rating of 88.5, coupled with a career-low 37.6 quarterback rating. Such statistics underline the mixed results that fuel the conversation around his future with Miami.
Financial factors play a crucial role in any trade considerations. Tagovailoa agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million extension in July 2024, with a cap hit rising to $56.6 million for the 2026 season. Rapoport indicated that Miami might have to absorb a large part of the contract to enable a trade, but also noted that the team could see this as acceptable amid a broader organizational reset.
Exploring Miami’s Internal Quarterback Options
Beyond Tagovailoa, the Dolphins have depth within the quarterback room, most notably rookie Quinn Ewers. Rapoport commented on Ewers’ development, describing the young player’s physical growth and increasing confidence.
“What we saw from him last year was kinda like, alright that’s a chill dude. Physically he looks way better than he did in college. It didn’t seem like it was too big for him, he wasn’t perfect but I was kinda like wondering if there’s something here. So, I would like to see more of him and we’re going to find out how much they believe in him,”
Rapoport said.
Ewers, 22, finished his rookie year with 622 passing yards on 66.3 percent completions. He tallied three touchdowns and three interceptions, posting a passer rating of 85.5 through appearances in four games, including three starts.
Potential for Additional Quarterback Acquisitions
Miami ended the 2025 season 7-10, missing the playoffs for the second straight year, a mark that has led to sweeping changes within the franchise. Rapoport indicated the team likely intends to bring in another quarterback, possibly adding competition or a starter. Among the names discussed is Malik Willis, whose background may align with Miami’s fresh leadership.
“They’re gonna sign another quarterback, but do they sign someone to start? Or do they sign someone to kinda compete with him?”
Rapoport said.
“Let’s say they go after Malik Willis, which is what a lot of people think — like who wins that?”
Malik Willis’ Connection to Miami’s New Leadership
Willis spent the 2025 season with the Green Bay Packers, where Miami’s new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley previously worked. This shared history might influence Miami’s evaluation of Willis, a 26-year-old former third-round pick whose role with Green Bay included relief duty behind Jordan Love.
During his 2025 season, Willis played in four games, completing 85.7 percent of his passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns, and achieved a 145.5 passer rating along with a 93.1 quarterback rating. As a runner, he added 123 yards on 22 carries with two rushing touchdowns but also recorded two fumbles, losing one. His dual-threat ability combined with familiarity from Miami’s leadership could make him a compelling option if the franchise pursues a trade involving Tagovailoa. Whether Willis is viewed as a starter or competition will depend on how aggressively Miami opts to reset the quarterback situation.
Significance of Tagovailoa’s Future in Miami’s Offseason Strategy
With a significant contractual commitment and a roster poised for transformation under new leaders Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley, the fate of Tua Tagovailoa remains a pivotal factor in the Dolphins’ offseason planning. The upcoming decisions about Tagovailoa, Ewers, and potential acquisitions like Malik Willis will signal how Miami prioritizes its quarterback position moving forward and may set the tone for future competitiveness.
"I'd be surprised if Tua is in Miami."@rapsheet weighs in on the Dolphins quarterback situation this offseason. pic.twitter.com/2gC6SWf81F
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 4, 2026
