The New England Patriots are surging, and their grip on the AFC East looks as firm as ever. But just a few hundred miles south, things are unraveling fast for the Miami Dolphins. With their playoff hopes officially extinguished, the Dolphins have made a major move at the game’s most important position: Tua Tagovailoa is on the bench, and his future in Miami is hanging by a thread.
Let’s rewind. Tagovailoa entered the 2024 season fresh off a Pro Bowl appearance and a four-year, $212 million extension.
On paper, it looked like Miami had found its guy. But football isn’t played on paper, and the last two seasons have told a very different story.
Between injuries and inconsistency, Tua just hasn’t been able to lock down the job the way a franchise quarterback needs to. The numbers paint a tough picture: 23 interceptions in his last 25 games, plus 15 fumbles over the past two seasons. That’s a turnover machine no team can afford, especially one trying to keep pace in a division that features Josh Allen in Buffalo and a resurgent Patriots squad.
Now, according to reports, the Dolphins are preparing to move on. Tua still has $55 million fully guaranteed for next season, but the expectation is that he’s played his final down in a Dolphins uniform.
On Sunday, he was listed as the third-string quarterback. That’s not just a demotion - that’s a signal.
The Dolphins have a few options on the table, none of them ideal. They could cut him and absorb a massive $99 million dead cap hit spread over two years - think Denver’s decision with Russell Wilson.
They could try to trade him, eating some of the salary in the process, which seems to be their preferred route. Or they could keep him as an expensive backup, though that scenario feels like a long shot.
In the meantime, Miami is turning to rookie Quinn Ewers to close out the season. It’s a big moment for the young quarterback, who now has a chance to audition for the starting job in 2026.
If he shows poise and flashes potential, he could enter next year as QB1. But let’s not forget - the Dolphins are likely to have a high draft pick, and with a strong quarterback class expected, the front office may be eyeing a fresh start under center.
For a franchise that’s been searching for long-term stability at quarterback since the Dan Marino days, this latest chapter is just another twist. Tua’s talent has never been in question - when healthy, he’s shown he can make plays. But the turnovers, the injuries, and now the benching make it clear: the Dolphins are preparing to turn the page.
As the Patriots and Bills continue to build toward sustained success, Miami faces a pivotal offseason. The next move they make at quarterback could define the franchise for years to come.