The Miami Dolphins appear ready to part ways with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after June 1 as the team faces contract and salary cap challenges. The decision, expected to come in the coming weeks, centers on Tua’s large extension and the guaranteed money that complicate a potential trade.
With a fresh start under new head coach Jeff Hafley, the Dolphins are pursuing a rebuild that no longer includes the former No. 5 overall pick. However, Tua’s $214 million contract extension, signed in 2024, has made trade discussions particularly difficult and has lowered his market value amid uneven recent performances.
Trade Talks Stall, Increasing Likelihood of Post-June 1 Release
According to ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano, ongoing silence around a Tua trade signals that Miami will probably opt for a post-June 1 release. This approach would mean the Dolphins assume the majority of Tagovailoa’s substantial $99.2 million salary cap hit rather than moving him via trade.
The Dolphins continue to tell people that they’ve had trade talks with teams and haven’t given up on trying to trade Tagovailoa, even though that would mean picking up a significant portion of his $54 million in fully guaranteed 2026 salary,
Graziano reported.
But based on my conversations with other teams, I’m skeptical, and I expect Miami to release Tagovailoa by the third day of the league year (when $3 million of his 2027 salary would become fully guaranteed).
This timing would allow Miami to control the dead cap hit by spreading the financial burden across two seasons, beginning with a $67.4 million hit in 2026. Although this figure remains high, the team understood this possibility when committing to Tua’s lucrative deal.
General Manager Signals Flexibility on Tua’s Future
At the NFL Combine, Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan addressed Tua’s status, confirming that all options remain open. The team is weighing different pathways as they try to reach a resolution that aligns with their rebuilding strategy.
Everything’s on the table right now. It could go in a lot of different ways,
Sullivan commented.
A trade is a possibility, but Tua is aware, his representation is aware. We’ve had really positive conversations, and, like I said, it’s kind of all on the table when it comes to Tua at this moment.
[Tua’s reps] have expressed that he wants to play and that they still think he can play at a high level,
the general manager added.
The conversations have been productive, but they have not in particular said that they want to be traded.
The dialogue between the Dolphins and Tua’s camp reflects a mutual understanding that, despite the uncertainty, the quarterback remains confident in his abilities and willingness to contribute at a high level.
Financial Impact of the Anticipated Release
Releasing Tagovailoa after June 1 would mitigate immediate cap pressures by distributing the dead money hit over upcoming seasons, though the financial implications will still be significant for Miami. This strategy allows the franchise to avoid guaranteeing the entirety of Tua’s 2027 salary and creates some flexibility as the team plans its roster moves.
Wider Context of the Dolphins’ Quarterback Situation
The intended release marks a key moment in the Dolphins’ transition at quarterback, reflecting broader challenges faced when managing high-value contracts within an evolving roster. As Miami moves forward, the team must balance short-term financial realities with long-term goals under a new coaching regime.
The organization’s handling of this situation will likely influence its ability to pursue alternative quarterback options and restructure the squad for future competitiveness in the NFL.
The Dolphins almost certainly will designate Tua Tagovailoa as a post-June 1 release to help defray some of the $99.2 million in dead money it will cost to release him, per @DanGrazianoESPN. https://t.co/qDUVamfCHS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2026
