Could the Jets Take a Big Swing for Tua Tagovailoa This Offseason?
The New York Jets are entering yet another pivotal offseason-one where they’ll have to make some tough decisions under center. With uncertainty still swirling around the quarterback position, a bold trade idea has surfaced: Tua Tagovailoa to the Jets.
The proposed deal? The Jets would receive Tagovailoa, a 2027 third-round pick, and some salary compensation, while the Dolphins would get a 2027 fourth-rounder in return.
On paper, that’s a lopsided trade in favor of New York. But when you factor in Tagovailoa’s $212 million contract and his recent struggles, the picture gets a bit murkier.
Let’s break it down.
Why This Trade Is Even on the Table
The Dolphins have already made a statement by benching Tagovailoa for the remainder of the regular season. That’s not the kind of move you make with a quarterback you’re planning to build around. And while Tua signed a massive four-year extension just last year, it’s clear Miami is reevaluating its future at the position.
The Jets, meanwhile, are in quarterback limbo. They’re projected to hold the No. 5 overall pick in April’s draft, but that might not be high enough to land a plug-and-play rookie.
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the only quarterback in this class widely viewed as ready to start from Day 1, and even that’s up for debate. That leaves New York with two options: reach for a developmental prospect, or bring in a veteran bridge to buy time.
Enter Tua.
What Tua Could Offer the Jets
Tagovailoa is coming off a rough season-there’s no sugarcoating that. He threw for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, leading the league in picks before being benched for Quinn Ewers. That’s a steep fall from his 2023 campaign, when he led the NFL in passing yards and was firmly in the MVP conversation.
But here’s the thing: Tua’s talent hasn’t vanished. He’s still just 27 years old, he’s shown he can operate at a high level when protected and surrounded by weapons, and he’s got playoff experience. For a Jets team that desperately needs stability under center, he could be a functional stopgap-or even more, if things click.
And the Jets have the financial flexibility to absorb a chunk of his contract. With nearly $93 million in projected cap space, they can afford to take a calculated risk, especially if Miami is willing to eat some of the salary and throw in a pick to sweeten the pot.
The Bigger Picture for New York
This wouldn’t be a long-term fix. The Jets are still expected to draft a quarterback in 2026, and if they don’t love their options this year, they could punt to 2027, which is shaping up to be a deeper QB class. Tua, in that scenario, becomes the bridge-someone who can hold down the fort while the next guy develops.
It’s a gamble, no doubt. You’re betting that Tagovailoa can bounce back in a new environment, and that the Jets’ offensive infrastructure-still a work in progress-can give him the support he needs. But given the limited options in both free agency and the draft, it might be one of the more intriguing paths available.
Final Thoughts
Tagovailoa’s future in Miami is cloudy at best. The Dolphins benching him signals a shift, and while trading him within the AFC East would be a bold move, it’s not entirely out of the question-especially if they’re ready to move on and the Jets are willing to take on the risk.
For New York, this is the kind of swing that could either stabilize the franchise or backfire spectacularly. But after years of quarterback purgatory, standing pat isn’t exactly working either.
Tua to the Jets? It’s far from a sure thing. But in a league where quarterback play is everything, it’s the kind of move that demands serious consideration.