A top-level executive from an unspecified NFL team revealed to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones that their franchise might have pursued trading for Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa if Miami had offered a first-round draft pick to cover most of his contract costs. This approach would have essentially relieved the acquiring team from bearing the bulk of Tagovailoa’s contract commitment.
Historical Context of Similar Trades Involving Cost Absorption
The notion of absorbing a large contract for draft capital has precedent. In 2017, the Cleveland Browns received a second-round pick from the Houston Texans in exchange for taking on quarterback Brock Osweiler’s contract, which, when adjusted for today’s salary cap, was near $30 million. However, the NFL management council discourages transactions perceived as simple exchanges of picks for financial relief rather than player value.
Dolphins’ Resistance to Adding Draft Capital in Trade Efforts
Despite Jon-Eric Sullivan, the Miami Dolphins’ new general manager, being prepared to shoulder a significant portion of Tagovailoa’s salary to facilitate a trade, the team has hesitated to include valuable draft picks to offload the quarterback. Sullivan has emphasized the importance of conserving draft assets while steering the Dolphins toward a rebuilding phase. So far, Miami has not succeeded in identifying a trade partner willing to take on Tagovailoa under these terms.
Details on Tagovailoa’s Contract and Miami’s Plans
Tagovailoa carries a fully guaranteed salary of $54 million. Miami is expected to release him after the league year begins, likely by activating a June 1 cut designation. This strategy will split what would become an NFL-record dead cap charge of $99.1 million across two fiscal years. Once released, Tagovailoa will be able to sign with any team at the veteran minimum salary.
Tagovailoa’s Career and Contract Overview
The 27-year-old quarterback was drafted fifth overall by the Dolphins in the 2020 NFL Draft after a successful college career at Alabama. He initially signed a four-year rookie deal valued at over $30 million, including a significant signing bonus. Miami exercised his fifth-year option worth more than $23 million for the upcoming 2024 season. Following that, the Dolphins secured him with a four-year extension potentially worth up to $212 million, guaranteeing $167 million.
In the 2025 season, Tagovailoa appeared in 14 games, completing nearly 68 percent of his passes for 2,660 yards, delivering 20 touchdowns alongside 15 interceptions.
Next Steps and Ongoing Developments
As the Dolphins finalize their roster and salary decisions, the handling of Tagovailoa’s contract remains a noteworthy situation within the league, reflecting broader challenges teams face managing high-value players amid evolving rebuild strategies. Updates on Tagovailoa’s status will continue as further news emerges.
