Superstar quarterback Tua Tagovailoa continues to hold out and could seek a trade this offseason if he doesn’t get the contract he wants. According to a source, the Miami Dolphins already made an offer that was rejected because the two parties are looking for a long-term agreement. However, it appears the contract wasn’t good enough for Tagovailoa, who likely wants the biggest contract in the league. He is scheduled to earn $23.1 million next season in the final year of his rookie contract.
However, $50 million annually seems to be the benchmark for a high-quality quarterback in today’s market. Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts have all signed deals worth at least that amount over the past two offseasons. Tagovailoa and Goff appear to be on the same level among those quarterbacks. The Alabama product led the NFL last season with 4,624 passing yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the Dolphins to the playoffs.
However, the biggest problem with Tagovailoa is that he has not fared well in elite competition. Miami went 1-5 in games against playoff contenders during the 2023 campaign, but losses to the Ravens and Bills cost the Dolphins the AFC East. It’s fair to speculate whether the team is willing to pay Tagovailoa a huge amount, perhaps even more than Goff. Perhaps it would be best for Miami to offer him a franchise tag before making any long-term commitment.
However, the quarterback has been largely absent from Dolphins activities as Miami looks for a way to pay him. It is unclear whether he is willing to participate in the upcoming voluntary training, but that is not expected to be the case. It will be interesting if the Alabama product will participate in mandatory camp. Rumors will spread if he doesn’t show up.
Superstar quarterback Tua Tagovailoa continues to hold out, could seek trade
What does its absence mean?
Tagovailoa was present for most of his volunteer work in his first few seasons in the league. However, this offseason is the first in which he misses any type of minicamp. Sources believe his absence is due to his contract status, as he seeks a reasonable long-term extension. However, his absence from minicamp is likely an attempt to gain leverage to get a new deal.
The biggest question is how long you are willing to show up or if you will show up for mandatory camp. Miami may have to be forced to reach a deal now so they don’t have to worry about it next offseason. However, just because they can label you as a franchise does not guarantee that you will show up for practice. Tagovailoa would be subject to a fine of $40,000 for each day of absence.
However, the league indicates that the Dolphins could eliminate or reduce that fine entirely. Miami is already facing its salary cap this season after making some cheap signings and losing quality players. The Dolphins could restructure his deal now to save that money and give him the deal he wants next offseason. If you don’t want that, here are some potential trade destinations for the Alabama product.
Potential trade destinations
The Saints appear to be trade candidates after selecting Spencer Rattler in this year’s Draft. New Orleans hasn’t had any luck with quarterbacks in the last decade since the Drew Brees era. Derek Carr appears to be on the bench this year, so they may consider other options. However, if the Saints are not happy with the position, then they could call Miami to get Tagovailoa.
The Dallas Cowboys have not made any offers or negotiations this offseason, so it seems unlikely that Dak Prescott will return. The team has been very inactive this season, so it looks like the 2025 season will be very different. They still need to pay CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons for mega deals, so they may have to make some sacrifices.
However, a shocking but unlikely move is for the Dolphins to send their franchise quarterback to Carolina. The Panthers still need to see what Bryce Young can do after a disappointing rookie season. He has all the tools, but if he doesn’t know how to cook, they may have to find another chef.
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