While the Miami Dolphins and the Arizona Cardinals are dealing with the arrival of their respective new head coaches, the two teams would also like to find exchange partners for their starting quarterback.
Dolphins reportedly trying to trade Tua Tagovailoa; Same story for the Cardinals and Kyle Murray. However, it remains uncertain if a trade is possible for one or other of the players, given the financial burden that a team would impose on itself.
The New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings are reportedly looking for a quarterback, as are the Dolphins and Cardinals.
Miami would be willing to pay part of Tagovailoa’s contract to facilitate a trade, sources revealed to ESPN.
The Dolphins signed Tagovailoa for four years at $212.1 million in July 2024. $54 million is guaranteed for 2026 and three million more will be guaranteed for 2027 starting on the fifth day of the new season.
Cutting Tagovailoa from the roster would leave $99 million on payroll, the largest amount in history for a player who would no longer be on the team – while making the same decision after June 1 would divide that amount over the next two seasons.
For his part, Murray will already receive $36.8 million in guaranteed money in 2026. On March 15, $19.5 million will also be guaranteed for 2027 if he is still in the Cardinals’ lineup.
If the Cards release Murray before June 1, $54.7 million of Murray’s contract would remain on the team’s payroll. Just like Tagovailoa, a cut after that date would split the amount over two years.
Trading Murray would save Arizona $34.7 million while leaving $17.9 million on payroll, which could be more attractive if the Cardinals can come to terms with someone.
Tagovailoa was benched with three games remaining in the season, signaling his time with the Dolphins may be coming to an end. He threw 15 interceptions last season and failed to reach the 200-yard passing mark in eight of the 14 games he played.
Tagovailoa, who turns 28 next month, hinted after the season that he was open to a fresh start on a new team. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan remained noncommittal when asked last month about Tagovailoa’s future with the organization, saying the Dolphins had not yet made a decision on the quarterback position.
Murray, 28, played in just five games last season due to a foot injury, throwing for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. The former Heisman Trophy winner has played seven seasons with Arizona since being selected first overall in the 2019 draft, but has only made the playoffs once.
New Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said Tuesday that he recently spoke with Murray but did not discuss the quarterback’s future with the franchise.
