Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is open to a “fresh start,” he told reporters Monday after being benched for the final three games of the season.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel favored rookie Quinn Ewers after the team’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15, believing the seventh-round pick gave his team a better chance of winning.
Tua has spent the last three games as third quarterback. Following McDaniel’s decision on December 17, Tagovailoa said he was “disappointed”, but clarified that the decision was not up to him. He also declined to comment on the possibility of having played his last game with the Dolphins.
His tone changed Monday, however, when he was asked if he wanted a fresh start after the events of this season.
“That would be great,” he replied. “That would suit me perfectly. »
Tagovailoa signed a four-year contract extension worth $212.1 million in July 2024, the most lucrative contract in franchise history. However, after missing a game-high six games in 2024 due to hip and head injuries, he had a disappointing 2025 season before losing his starting spot to Ewers.
He had 2,660 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, but was the victim of 15 interceptions. Eight times this season he has had at least 200 passing yards compared to just six in his previous three seasons combined with McDaniel.
Parting ways with Tagovailoa would be costly for Miami because his salary will have a $56.4 million payroll impact in 2026, and releasing him before June 1 would result in a $99.2 million penalty. Releasing him after June 1 would spread the impact of this salary penalty over two seasons, with $67.2 million to be paid in 2026.
The Dolphins could also consider a trade for the NFL’s leading passer in 2023, but they would have to find a team willing to take on his salary.
If he does indeed play his final game with the Dolphins, Tagovailoa will leave the franchise as the fourth-leading passer in history, with 18,166 yards and 120 touchdowns. He will also finish his time in Miami as the leading passer in Dolphins history, with a 68% pass completion percentage among qualifying quarterbacks.
