The Dolphins wrapped up Week 15 with a thud, falling 28-15 to the Steelers on Monday night. The loss officially ended any playoff hopes for Miami, dropping them to 6-8 on the season and sparking fresh scrutiny around Tua Tagovailoa-not just his play, but his future with the franchise.
ESPN’s Troy Aikman didn’t hold back during the broadcast, calling out the team’s lackluster execution in the fourth quarter. And with the Dolphins now missing the postseason for a second straight year, the spotlight is burning hotter than ever on Tagovailoa’s contract situation.
In today’s NFL, quarterback contracts are big business-and big risk. With player empowerment reshaping the league, teams are shelling out massive deals for their signal-callers.
But when those bets don’t pay off, the ripple effects can be felt for years. Miami’s current predicament is just the latest example.
Let’s take a closer look at four of the most regrettable quarterback contracts in recent memory-and the hard lessons they’ve left behind.
Kirk Cousins - Atlanta Falcons
Contract: 4 years, $180 million
Signed: 2024 offseason
Atlanta made a bold move in the 2024 offseason-and not just by hiring Raheem Morris after passing on Bill Belichick. The Falcons went all-in at quarterback, handing a massive deal to 35-year-old Kirk Cousins, who was just months removed from a torn Achilles.
It was a high-stakes gamble from the jump. And then came the curveball: not even six weeks later, Atlanta used the No. 8 overall pick on Michael Penix Jr.-without giving Cousins or his camp a heads-up.
Since then, Cousins has logged 21 appearances (19 starts), throwing for 4,726 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions while going 9-10 as a starter. He was eventually benched in favor of Penix, and only returned to the field this season after Penix suffered a season-ending knee injury.
The optics? Not great.
The outcome? Even worse.
Lesson learned: Don’t sign a 35-year-old quarterback coming off a major injury, only to draft his replacement six weeks later. That’s how you end up with a $180 million depth chart dilemma.
Daniel Jones - New York Giants
Contract: 4 years, $160 million
Signed: 2023 offseason
Daniel Jones may be finding his footing with the Colts now, but the deal he inked with the Giants in 2023 still casts a long shadow over the franchise. New York went all-in on Jones with a four-year, $160 million contract-and then opted not to pay Saquon Barkley. That decision has haunted them ever since.
Jones lasted just 16 more games in a Giants uniform, throwing 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions before being released in November 2024. Barkley, meanwhile, signed with the Eagles, ran for a career-best 2,005 yards, and helped Philly win Super Bowl LVII. It’s a brutal what-if for Giants fans-and a defining misstep for GM Joe Schoen.
Lesson learned: Pay your best players. Period. Even if they play running back.
Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins
Status: Under contract, performance under scrutiny
Tua Tagovailoa’s time in Miami has been anything but smooth sailing. From concussion concerns to coaching clashes, the 27-year-old’s journey has been a rollercoaster.
And in 2025, it’s hitting a low point. Through 14 games, he’s completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and a career-high 15 interceptions.
His passer rating? 88.5-his lowest since his rookie season.
Monday’s loss to Pittsburgh only added fuel to the fire. Tagovailoa is now 0-7 in games played in sub-40° temperatures, a stat that’s hard to ignore when you’re trying to build a playoff team. As Miami stares down another offseason without postseason football, the question becomes unavoidable: is Tua still the guy?
Lesson learned: If your quarterback can’t stay healthy-or deliver when the weather turns cold-it might be time to start looking for the next one.
Deshaun Watson - Cleveland Browns
Contract: 5 years, $230 million (fully guaranteed)
Signed: 2022 offseason
Few contracts have been more controversial-or more catastrophic-than Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed deal with the Browns. After sitting out the 2021 season amid multiple sexual assault allegations, Watson was traded to Cleveland and immediately handed a five-year, $230 million contract.
It was a statement move. But the results?
Not what the Browns were hoping for.
Since arriving in Cleveland, Watson has played in just 19 games, posting a 9-10 record as a starter. He suffered a torn Achilles in 2024-and then re-injured it during rehab.
He’s not expected back until at least 2026, and yet, the Browns remain committed to keeping him on the roster. That’s a staggering amount of money tied up in a player who hasn’t been available-and hasn’t performed when he has been.
Lesson learned: Don’t hand out record-setting, fully guaranteed contracts to quarterbacks with unresolved legal issues. The risk is just too high.
The Bigger Picture
Quarterback is the most important position in football-and teams will always pay a premium to lock down their guy. But when those bets go sideways, the consequences can be franchise-altering. Whether it’s injuries, poor fit, or off-field baggage, these four cases serve as cautionary tales for front offices around the league.
For the Dolphins, the questions around Tua aren’t just about stats or cold-weather games. They’re about the future of the franchise, and whether the current trajectory is sustainable-or if it’s time to reset. Because as these contracts show, the wrong deal at quarterback can set you back years.