The $100M Tua Tagovailoa question that looms as Dolphins mull QB breakup

With changes at the top in Miami, Tua Tagovailoa could see his time with the Dolphins coming to an end, according to a report.

Following the ouster of general manager Chris Grier this past week, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that the team potentially may move on from their high-priced, inconsistent quarterback in the offseason, and hasn’t ruled out benching him later this year.

If they do release Tagovailoa, it might cost the Dolphins nearly $100 million.

Tagovailoa entered Sunday having thrown an NFL-high 11 interceptions amidst another disappointing season in his sixth year, and Rapoport said his benching “is not off the table at some point this season.” 

That would leave the Dolphins with either former Jet bust Zach Wilson, the current backup, or rookie Quinn Ewers, now the team’s third-string QB.

Head coach Mike McDaniel, who was told he’d remain in the position through the rest of this season despite a 2-7 record, has stuck with Tagovailoa so far.

But beyond that, interim GM Champ Kelly could have other options — and that’s where it could get expensive for the Dolphins.

The 27-year-old Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension in the 2024 offseason that included $54 million guaranteed for the 2026 season — and $3 million more is guaranteed for 2027 if he’s still in Miami on the third day of next season.

But the Dolphins could follow the lead of the Denver Broncos, who cut Russell Wilson last year at the cost of $85 million in dead salary cap, which was the most ever by an NFL team.

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A similar move by Miami with Tagovailoa would break that record and cost $99.2 million.

If they were able to trade him before June 1, it would mean $45.2 million in dead money, according to Rapoport.

Should the Dolphins cut him after June 1, they could spread the cap hit over two seasons, with $67.4 million due next year and $31.8 million in ‘27.

Or the Dolphins could trade Tagovailoa — who they selected fifth overall in the 2020 draft — in the offseason to a team that has a young quarterback and use the veteran as a bridge QB, with Miami paying down some of the salary.