Dolphins Cut Tua Tagovailoa, $99M Cap Hit Record

Dolphins Part Ways with Tua Tagovailoa, Setting Record Cap Hit

The Miami Dolphins have officially moved on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a move that carries significant financial implications, including a record-breaking $99 million dead cap hit. As free agency week commences, the Dolphins’ decision signals a new era under new general manager Jon Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley.

Adam Schefter broke the news, stating, “The Miami Dolphins, to the surprise of nobody, officially have moved on from Tua Tagovailoa. They have released him. It’s a $99 million dead cap hit, a record NFL cap hit at this point in time.” This substantial figure underscores the finality of the Dolphins’ decision and the financial commitment they are absorbing to transition away from their former first-round pick.

Tagovailoa Enters Free Agency Pool

Tagovailoa now joins a crowded field of quarterbacks in the free agency market. While his tenure in Miami had its moments, the sum total of his performance has led the team to seek a different direction. The question now looms: has the NFL seen the last of Tua Tagovailoa as a starting quarterback?

Dan Orlovsky weighed in on Tagovailoa’s future, suggesting, “I think we still can. And it’s really going to depend on does he pick the the next right destination.” Orlovski posited potential landing spots for Tua, emphasizing a focus on rebuilding his value rather than immediately chasing a starting role. “If I’m Tua and Tua’s people right now, I’m calling the Minnesota Vikings,” he said, also mentioning the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams as possibilities. “It’s not chasing the starting quarterback job. It’s chasing how do I rebuild my name a little bit? How do I just settle in and wait for the ideal opportunity to try to become the next Sam Darnold?”

Malik Willis: The Dolphins’ Next QB Pursuit?

The Dolphins’ decision to move on from Tagovailoa naturally leads to speculation about their next move at the quarterback position. With new leadership in place, the possibility of pursuing Malik Willis is gaining traction, given the new regime’s previous work with him in Green Bay.

“You have to think the big decision in Miami is whether or not they pursue Malik Willis,” Schefter noted. “Both men in Miami worked with him in Green Bay before. There’s a logical connection. They know the exact quarterback that they would be getting.”

However, the path for Willis is not without its uncertainties. Peter Schrager highlighted the calculated risk involved. “The truth is there is not a huge body of work. That is a roll of the dice.” He also pointed out the connections to Mike LaFlur, brother of Matt LaFlur, who previously coached Willis and now has a vacancy in Arizona, creating a potential quarterback carousel across the league.

A Quarterback Carousel in Full Swing

The landscape of available quarterbacks this offseason is dynamic. With Tagovailoa’s release, coupled with potential moves for players like Kyler Murray and Geno Smith, several teams find themselves with quarterback vacancies.

“Carousel is one way to look at it. Another way is musical chairs, right? There’s a game of musical chairs,” Schrager quipped. “There’s a bunch of teams that have chairs and there’s a bunch of guys walking around in a circle trying to sit in one of them.”

The financial aspect of acquiring these quarterbacks is also a key factor. Schrager explained, “They will be making basically nothing by the new team that signs them, which makes them attractive.” Unlike other available quarterbacks who might command full contracts, players like Murray, Smith, and Tagovailoa could be signed to lucrative prove-it deals, making them financially appealing options for teams with significant cap constraints or those looking for a bridge quarterback.

The Role of the High-Level Backup

While the dream for any quarterback is to be a franchise starter, the current market suggests that Tagovailoa’s immediate future may lie in a different capacity. The consensus among the analysts is that while he may not be signed as a definitive starter for 2026, he could find a role as a high-level backup.

“No one is signing Tua to start in 2026,” stated one analyst. “Someone is going to sign Tua to sit there and say, ‘Hey, we might need a starter for a month or we’re a Super Bowl contending football team and we need a guy that just in case our quarterback goes down for week 13 and week 14 with an ankle, I need somebody to come in and give us a chance.’ That’s where Tua is going to go.”

Potential landing spots for this role include teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, or even the Chargers, where he could provide experienced depth and mentorship. The opportunity to learn under a top-tier organization and potentially develop further makes these scenarios attractive, even without the immediate promise of a starting job.

A Strategic Offseason for Quarterback-Needy Teams

The availability of experienced quarterbacks, even those coming off less than ideal situations, provides strategic options for teams navigating the offseason. The financial flexibility offered by players like Tagovailoa, Murray, and Smith makes them valuable assets.

“So at some point for these quarterback needy teams, if Kyler Murray’s off the board, if Gino Smith is off the board, you’re going to have a team that potentially looks at Tua Tunga and says, ‘You know what? He has starting quarterback experience. So, we may need a bridge guy to bring him in and say, ‘Hey, we’ll give you a proof of a deal,'” one analyst concluded. This situation highlights how the dynamics of the quarterback market can create opportunities for players even after a high-profile release.

Source: BREAKING: The Dolphins are releasing QB Tua Tagovailoa 🚨 | Get Up (YouTube)