As the calendar changes to July, the upcoming NFL season draws ever closer. Most of the 32 teams have taken care of any pressing roster needs or contract extensions, but there are some exceptions.
One of the more notable ones involves the Miami Dolphins. The team is currently at an impasse regarding a new deal with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. As of right now, Tagovailoa is set to make $23 million in 2024, the last year of his rookie year, which he signed in 2020.
Should the Miami Dolphins Extend Tua Tagovailoa?
According to ESPNs Jeff Darlington, the Dolphins have not offered Tagovailoa an extension that mirrors or exceeds the ones recently signed by Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Both of their contracts have an average salary that ranges between $53-$55 million per year.
The argument can be made that Tagovailoa outperformed both Lawrence and Goff this past season. In 2023 he threw for 4,624 yards to lead the league in passing yards along with setting career highs in passing touchdowns (29) and completion percentage (69.3%).
The only real knocks on Tagovailoa are his injury history and lack of playoff success. Since being drafted, he has primarily had concerns with lower extremity and concussion-related injuries.
To help alleviate his durability issues he participated in a breakfall jiu-jitsu program and added more muscle last offseason. The change in his offseason routine resulted in a career high 18 games played, including the playoffs.
His lone playoff appearance was this past January against the Kansas City Chiefs. He completed 20 of his 39 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown, and an interception as the Dolphins lost to the Chiefs 26-7.
While those numbers are underwhelming, it's important to keep in mind that this was his first time in a playoff atmosphere, and it was in negative 4-degree weather with windchill readings of -27 degrees. It’s fair to say that's a tall task for any quarterback to perform in, let alone their first playoff game.
Miami has been adamant throughout the offseason that they want to keep Tagovailoa as their franchise quarterback, but it’s clear they have a set number in mind. Tagovailoa and his agent have been firm on what they deem as a fair contract.
The best solution for both sides is to postpone an extension until the next offseason. This could come back to hurt the Dolphins, as the quarterback market is only going to increase with more time passing. However, seeing if Tagovailoa can have another productive season with a clean bill of health and a potentially deep playoff run will give the team more clarity.
With that said Miami would be risking Tagovailoa becoming disgruntled and possibly demanding a trade. The Dolphins wouldn’t be forced to follow through with said trade demand, but it would create tension and drama in the locker room.
Given that it's the later stages of the offseason, it doesn’t seem likely since most teams have their quarterback situation stabilized. However, teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks lack long-term solutions at the quarterback position. Whether they want to give up a haul of draft picks and sign Tagovailoa with a record-breaking extension is debatable.
The point here is if the Dolphins aren’t willing to pay Tagovailoa top quarterback money, there are other teams that potentially would be. For Tagovailoa, the benefit would be to go into the upcoming season with a chip on his shoulder, and he would likely get a significantly better deal than he could right now. The downside is he could have another major injury and not have the security of a long-term contract.
At the end of the day, the Dolphins must pay Tagovailoa at some point. He is by far the best quarterback the team has had since Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino retired back in 1999.
Miami has started 25 different quarterbacks in that span of time. Tagovailoa has provided them with the stability they have sought, and he has been productive. Starting quarterbacks don’t grow on trees, and the Dolphins know that better than anyone. Coming to an understanding with Tagovailoa that he will be rewarded with an extension next year is the best path forward for both sides.
