The Kansas City Chiefs are actively assessing quarterback options this offseason as Patrick Mahomes continues his rehabilitation from serious knee injuries sustained late in the previous season. Despite Mahomes’ confidence in returning by Week 1 of the 2026 season, the Chiefs are preparing contingency plans to ensure stability at the quarterback position during his absence.
In pursuit of depth, Kansas City has signed a former New Orleans Saints quarterback on a split-reserve contract and is closely monitoring the availability of a high-profile $214 million quarterback who appears likely to leave his current team.
Evaluating Tua Tagovailoa as the Potential Starting QB
Tua Tagovailoa, currently on Miami’s roster with a sizable $214.4 million contract extension signed in 2024, has become a central figure in trade discussions. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell noted the challenge of Tagovailoa’s upper-middle-class quarterback contract but suggested that
“Tagovailoa at the veterans minimum — which is what a new team would likely pay him in 2026 — could turn out to be a very useful contributor in the right scheme.”
His career statistics highlight a 68.0 percent passing completion rate, 18,166 career yards, 120 touchdowns, and 59 interceptions, making him a viable candidate as a short-term starter.
USA Today’s Mike Masala questioned whether Tagovailoa could fill the Chiefs’ quarterback role in September prior to Mahomes’ expected return, stating,
“Unless there’s a team looking to give him a starting job this offseason, there probably won’t be a better opportunity for a backup quarterback in 2026.”
Miami Dolphins Ready to Move On From Tagovailoa
The Miami Dolphins appear ready to part ways with Tagovailoa after a difficult season and mounting criticism of his contract’s value. Despite trade talks ongoing with several teams, insider reports from ESPN’s Dan Graziano reveal that the Dolphins are prepared to designate Tagovailoa as a post-June 1 cut to manage salary cap implications.
Graziano explained,
“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,”
adding,
“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).”
Last year, Tagovailoa threw for 2,660 yards across 14 games, tallying 20 touchdowns but also 15 interceptions, later losing the starting spot to rookie Quinn Ewers.
Additional Teams Express Interest in Tagovailoa’s Future
Aside from Kansas City, other NFL teams have surfaced as possible destinations for Tagovailoa. The Green Bay Packers might consider him as backup to Jordan Love, especially as Malik Willis is expected to depart via free agency. The Atlanta Falcons also emerge as a candidate, with Kirk Cousins likely to be released and Michael Penix Jr. sidelined due to a torn ACL.
Tagovailoa’s Challenging Path and the Chiefs’ Strategic Move
Though Tagovailoa will be searching for a starting opportunity, the possibility of filling in for the Chiefs during Mahomes’ recovery presents a unique opening. His tenure with Miami, marked by early success including leading the league in passing in 2023, has encountered setbacks, leaving his future uncertain. Kansas City’s interest in Tagovailoa reflects both a need for reliable depth and an acknowledgment of the quarterback market’s challenging landscape as teams prepare for the 2026 season.
This pursuit underlines the Chiefs’ careful planning amid an uneasy outlook, as they look beyond Mahomes while still maintaining faith in his return. The choices made this offseason regarding the quarterback position could have lasting effects on the franchise’s competitiveness and stability.
