The Miami Dolphins made a move on Wednesday that was both expected and jarring: they benched quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. It’s a decision rooted in performance-because frankly, Tua hasn’t looked like the guy Miami hoped he’d be this season.
His numbers tell the story: a league-high 15 interceptions and a QBR of 37.7, which ranks 30th out of 33 qualifying quarterbacks. Only Cam Ward, Geno Smith, and J.J.
McCarthy sit below him in that metric.
It’s been a rough ride for the Dolphins, who now sit at 6-8 and were officially eliminated from playoff contention after a tough loss to the Steelers on Monday night. That game, marked by offensive struggles and missed opportunities, seemed to be the final straw. Head coach Mike McDaniel had hinted earlier in the season that a quarterback change was on the table, and now he’s pulled the trigger.
But this isn’t just about benching a struggling QB-it’s about the massive financial implications that come with it. The Dolphins handed Tagovailoa a four-year, $212.4 million extension this past offseason. That’s franchise-quarterback money, and now Miami is staring at the possibility of paying top-tier dollars for a backup, unless they find a way to move on.
Let’s break down what that contract means going forward.
Tua is under contract through the 2026 season, with $54 million fully guaranteed in 2026 alone. On top of that, a $3 million chunk of his 2027 salary becomes guaranteed on the third day of the 2026 league year. So if Miami wants to cut ties this offseason, they’ll have to navigate a minefield of dead cap hits.
Releasing him outright this offseason would trigger a record-setting $99.2 million cap hit-yes, even more than the $85 million the Broncos ate when they parted ways with Russell Wilson. That kind of financial blow would be unprecedented.
However, if the Dolphins designate Tua as a post-June 1 cut, they could spread that hit across two seasons: $67.4 million in 2026 and $31.8 million in 2027. Still painful, but slightly more manageable.
There’s also the trade route. If Miami finds a partner before June 1, they’d take on $45.2 million in dead money.
Not ideal, but far more palatable than the alternative. The most realistic scenario?
Miami could absorb part of Tua’s salary in a deal, then send him to a team looking for a bridge starter or a mentor for a young quarterback. That way, they’d offload some of the financial burden while giving Tua a fresh start.
No matter how you slice it, the Dolphins are in a tough spot. They’re facing a pivotal offseason, one that could reshape their quarterback room and their salary cap for years to come. And while benching Tua might’ve been necessary from a football standpoint, the financial ripple effects are just beginning to hit.
In the meantime, all eyes now turn to Quinn Ewers, the Texas product, who’s set to make his first NFL start this Sunday against the Bengals. It’s a big moment for the rookie-and a clear sign that Miami is ready to see what the future might look like without Tua under center.