The Miami Dolphins are navigating some choppy waters this offseason, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at the center of a potential shake-up. The buzz around the league suggests that the Dolphins might be ready to make a bold move to part ways with Tua, primarily to alleviate the financial strain his contract imposes.
According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, there's speculation that Miami could cut ties with Tagovailoa, absorbing the full $99.2 million hit now. With the salary cap for 2026 projected to hover between $301.2 million and $305.7 million, dedicating over 32% of their cap space to Tua isn't exactly ideal.
Back in the 2024 offseason, the Dolphins extended Tagovailoa with a hefty four-year, $212.4 million contract. That decision, made under former GM Chris Grier, has put Miami in a tight spot, especially after releasing several veterans, including Tyreek Hill, to balance the books.
Currently, the Dolphins are left with a mere $3.18 million in cap space, complicating their ability to build a competitive roster for the upcoming season. So, why consider releasing Tua now?
Florio points out that by designating Tua's release post-June 1, Miami could spread the $99.2 million dead cap hit over two seasons-$55.4 million in 2026 and $43.8 million in 2027. This strategy could offer significant financial relief down the line.
Choosing to absorb the entire hit in 2026 could clear the way for a brighter financial future, freeing up $53.4 million in 2027 and $65.8 million in 2028. This clean slate approach might be tempting, especially with a new head coach, Jeff Hafley, at the helm and no clear path to contention this season.
As the Dolphins weigh their options, the unfolding drama will be one to watch closely as we inch closer to the new league year.