After six seasons with the Miami Dolphins, it sounds like quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is ready to continue his career elsewhere.
The Dolphins drafted Tagovailoa with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he's led the team to just one playoff berth since his selection.
Tua Tagovailoa ready for a fresh start outside of Miami
Tagovailoa was benched for the final three games of Miami’s 2025 campaign and when asked at the conclusion of the season if he wanted a fresh start, the one-time Pro Bowler had a telling response.
"That would be dope," he said. "I would be good with it."
In the 14 games that he appeared in for Miami in '25, Tagovailoa threw for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Given the fact that he was benched at the conclusion of the season, it seems like the Dolphins are ready to move on too.
However, doing so might be easier said than done. Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.1 million extension with the Dolphins in 2024, so he's still owed a good deal of money by the organization.
Here's a quick breakdown of the salary cap ramifications of parting ways with Tua for Miami, via ESPN:
Moving on from Tagovailoa will be expensive for Miami. He represents a $56.4 million cap hit in 2026, and cutting him before June 1 would result in a $99.2 million dead cap hit next season. Releasing him after June 1 would spread that dead cap hit across two seasons, with $67.2 million hitting in 2026.
The Dolphins could obviously also try to trade Tua and recoup some value, but it remains to be seen if any teams would be interested in taking on his contract after his underwhelming play this season. But, he's also just two seasons removed from leading the league in passing yards and making a Pro Bowl, so perhaps some team out there will be interested in taking a chance on him.
Details of the divorce will likely be finalized in the coming weeks and months, but barring a dramatic turnaround, it certainly seems like Tagovailoa has played his final game in a Dolphins uniform.