NFL
Exclusive: Rival GMs Say Dolphins Have No Trade Market for Tua Tagovailoa
The Miami Dolphins are facing regret over Tua Tagovailoa's massive contract extension as his play has declined. The team is struggling to find a trade partner and may be forced to carry his salary next season. Cutting him would result in a significant cap charge. Tagovailoa's contract is considered untradeable, leaving the Dolphins in a difficult position.
Miami Dolphins v Pittsburgh Steelers - NFL 2025 by Justin K. Aller | Getty Images
The Dolphins are already regretting the huge contract extension they bestowed upon starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in 2024, and the expectation around the league is that the inflated financials of that contract will preclude the team from meeting its ultimate goal of shipping him out this offseason.
Tagovailoa’s play has regressed substantially, the Dolphins fired former head coach Mike McDaniel, who was most closely tied with trying to prop up his declining play, and the team is once again rebuilding: all of which points to the quarterback’s departure.
Ridding themselves of this contract is a major priority for Miami’s ownership and front office, however several top executives from teams looking for quarterbacks told me Tagovailoa, an oft-injured former first-round pick, is a non-starter for them, they have no interest in taking him on even at a reduced rate, and they believe the Dolphins will be forced to carry his salary next season even with him in a back-up role.
Untradeable Contract?
“They’re fu—ed,” as one GM put it.
“That contract is untradeable. We already know they’re willing to eat a s--tload of it, but I just don’t see a market for him. I think they’re stuck with him, and he’s stuck with them.”
Another top executive said: “They’re going to have to suck it up and cut him, which will kill their cap, or just keep him… It’s a four-pronged problem, really for them. One, the player can’t really push the ball down the field and isn’t a play maker at that position. Two, there are real leadership issues there and he’s been a huge problem in their lockeroom. Guys don’t respond to him and he doesn’t come off as genuine at all. It’s like RGIII 2.0 (fallen former star Robert Griffin III). Three, the concussion history alone is a no-go for a lot teams. Four, it’s a terrible fu—king contract that nobody wants to touch.”
Cutting the quarterback would incur a $100M cap charge, that could only be split over two years if designated a post-June 1 release. There is no way around the $54M that Tagovailoa is owed for 2026; that figure is fully guaranteed.
“I don’t think they can pawn him off on anyone,” the GM said.
“Arizona has a much better chance to trading their problem (quarterback Kyler Murray) than Miami does.”
La Canfora has covered over 20 Super Bowls and League Meetings and NFL drafts, building a wide network of sources throughout all aspects of the game. He was an award winning print journalist as well, working at The Detroit Free Press and The Baltimore Sun prior to his first stint at The Washington Post. He has covered sporting events around the world, including two Winter Olympics and all of the 2006 World Cup. He attended his first NFL game in 1978, and would soon kindle what has become a lifelong love and appreciation of the sport. La Canfora is also a professional handicapper, specializing in the NFL, creating a daily sports wagering game show - "Wanna Bet?" He also hosts nationally broadcast NFL radio shows in the US, as well as a daily sports radio show in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.