The Miami Dolphins may have seen Tua Tagovailoa play his final game for the team as concerns about his performance mount. After a lackluster performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Mike McDaniel made the decision to sit the quarterback. He finished just 6/10 for 65 yards and 1 INT in that game alone. As offseason discussions begin and the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, this pivotal moment brings up several key questions regarding Tagovailoa’s status as the Dolphins starter long-term. His massive, four-year $212.1 million contract extension kicks in next season.
Tagovailoa’s recent struggles have not gone unnoticed. Since Week 10, he has been one of the worst—30th in Quarterback Rating (QBR), 24th in passing yards among NFL quarterbacks. For one, it has led to the question of what this means for his future as the team’s starter. He opened the season riding a four-game winning streak. Perhaps, his poor showing against the Steelers is what really tipped the scales for McDaniel. That’s because earlier this year, the coaching staff lobbied for Tagovailoa’s extension. Recent signs indicate that they are recalibrating their strategy.
Performance Under Scrutiny
Immediately following that game against Pittsburgh, coach Mike McDaniel—who’s widely regarded as a quarterback guru—gushed over Tagovailoa’s performance. He emphasized the thoroughness with which the Steelers carried out their game plan.
“I think the Steelers had a good plan and early they knew where we were trying to attack,” – Mike McDaniel
This acknowledgment of the opposition’s preparedness adds context to Tagovailoa’s struggles. Offensive coordinator Frank McDaniel pointed out some obvious mistakes in Tagovailoa’s performances. He highlighted a dangerous play where Tagovailoa didn’t see a cornerback drifting and made a risky throw.
“I think Tua lost sight of [the cornerback], which is a big deal. He didn’t see the hanging corner. He threw it to him out of the break. It’s not the ideal play, and matters were made worse by the throw to the opponent.” – Mike McDaniel
These declarations underscore the often disastrous effect of Tagovailoa’s decisions on the field. Lurking beneath those positives are two more worrisome trends, both signs of regression that scouts have seen all season long.
Financial Implications of a Potential Release
The financial ramifications of releasing or trading Tagovailoa are tricky and massive. If the Dolphins decide to release him before whatever date that is, they’ll incur an unprecedented penalty. As a result, they’ll take on a breathtaking $99.2 million in dead salary cap hits. Additionally, if they cut him before March 13, they’ll still owe him $54 million in cash through 2026. This enormous financial burden begs critical questions on whether or not the team will be able to rebuild or reallocate resources in a meaningful way.
If the Dolphins go the trade route instead, they’d still be eating a lot. Trading Tagovailoa after March 13 would mean absorbing a dead-money charge of $60.2 million while being responsible for his $15 million option bonus. Additionally, any team acquiring him would need to take on the remainder of his $39 million salary, further muddying the waters for negotiations and potential deals.
Future Considerations for the Dolphins
As Miami moves on, they need to make the right choice but it’s not as clear-cut on what they should do moving forward with Tagovailoa. Those–his recent play–have created some recent doubt within the organization as well as among fans. This concern is compounded by his imminent contract extension that will kick in next season. The Dolphins will have to decide whether to give Tagovailoa more time to develop or make a bold move to secure a different quarterback.
If he remains on the roster as of March 13, Miami would owe him $57 million fully guaranteed. This new commitment places some serious fiscal gravity to their choice. From the perspective of the Dolphins’ front office, the clock is ticking with a real sense of urgency to reassess their approach. Both financial implications and performance concerns underlie this critical examination.
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