The Dolphins gave who they thought to be their franchise quarterback a 4-year $212 million dollar extension just two years ago.
After two years of constant regression, injury struggles and the failure of reaching the playoffs, the once pro bowl quarterback is heading to the bench in favor of Quinn Ewers according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The signs were always there for Tua’s contract to possibly be an issue down the line. Immobile, injury prone, and diminishing athleticism.
Yet the Dolphins took a chance, Tua was the best quarterback the team has seen since Marino. Tua and the Dolphins had one of the NFL’s best offenses in 2023, drawing comparisons to the greatest show on turf, they scored 70 points, and dominated so many teams.
Tua’s stats prior to this season
• 5 seasons (64 games)
• 68.1% completion rate
• 15,506 passing yards
• 430 rushing yards
• 106 total TDs – 44 INTs
• 97.9 passer rating
• 2023 pro bowler
But then the winter would roll around and the Dolphins –and Tua– would go cold. The narratives that have surrounded Miami for 25+ years failed to be broken. The Dolphins can’t beat good teams, the Dolphins can’t win in the cold, the Dolphins can’t win a playoff game. All still true.
While benching Tua is the right move for the future it puts the Miami Dolphins in a very troubling situation, one we have seen recently with the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos.
Tua this season 190.0 YPG 20-15 TD/INT 88.5 RTG
Tua Tagovailoa already has $54 million guaranteed to him in 2026. On March 15, $3M of his 2027 salary becomes guaranteed. Cutting him would leave $99M in dead money. Post June 1 cut would equal $67.4M in dead money in 2026, $31.8M in 2027.
A very very tough situation for a team that always has trouble in the cap space department.
Ewers starting will be a test to see if the future is currently on the roster, and while Tua still may be a Dolphin next year, the question becomes, has he taken his last snap as the starting quarterback, or is this a wakeup call for the offseason.