The Miami Dolphins are at a crossroads with Tua Tagovailoa, and the offseason buzz suggests they might be ready to move on. Tagovailoa's performance last fall left much to be desired, with 2,660 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
His struggles culminated in being benched for Quinn Ewers as the season wound down. The financials add another layer of complexity, as releasing him would mean absorbing a hefty $99.2 million in dead cap, despite his $56.2 million cap hit for 2026.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has indicated that league insiders believe the Dolphins might have no choice but to release Tagovailoa due to the $54 million in contract guarantees. The ideal scenario for Miami would be to orchestrate a trade where another team takes on a significant portion of that financial burden. However, teams are understandably hesitant to shoulder such a cost, possibly waiting to see if Miami will cover it all.
Henry McKenna of FOX Sports has speculated about the landing spots for veteran quarterbacks this offseason, projecting Tagovailoa to join the Indianapolis Colts. This leaves the Dolphins searching for a new leader under center.
Enter Geno Smith, who McKenna sees as a potential fit for Jeff Hafley’s new regime in Miami. Smith’s tenure with the Seattle Seahawks was marked by two Pro Bowl selections and a Comeback Player of the Year award in 2022. However, his 2025 stint with the Las Vegas Raiders was less than stellar, completing 67.4% of his passes for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions.
For Dolphins fans hoping for a spark, Smith might not be the answer. His recent performance suggests he may be past his peak. The question remains: Is Geno Smith the right choice to lead Miami into the next chapter?