Tua Tagovailoa’s Future in Miami Remains Uncertain as Dolphins Begin Roster Shakeup
The Miami Dolphins made some big moves this week - and not the kind that go unnoticed in NFL front offices. Four veterans, including star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and edge rusher Bradley Chubb, were informed they won’t be returning for the 2026 season.
Offensive lineman James Daniels and wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine were also part of the roster purge. But one name notably not on that list?
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Despite a whirlwind of speculation surrounding his future in South Florida - especially after the Dolphins parted ways with head coach Mike McDaniel and brought in defensive-minded Jeff Hafley - Tagovailoa remains on the roster. For now.
According to a report from Jordan Schultz, the Dolphins are actively exploring trade options for their former first-round quarterback, whose contract has become one of the more complicated financial puzzles in the league.
Let’s break it down: Tagovailoa inked a four-year, $212.4 million extension in 2024. That deal runs through the 2025 season, but it includes a hefty payout in 2026 - $39 million in guaranteed base salary, plus a $15 million option bonus that Miami has to decide on by March. Add in workout and per-game roster bonuses, and the total owed this year climbs to $55 million.
That’s a massive number for a quarterback whose long-term fit with the team is now in question. If the Dolphins were to release him before the new league year begins in March, they’d still be on the hook for the full $39 million guaranteed - minus whatever Tagovailoa might earn from signing elsewhere. But if they can swing a trade, the acquiring team would take on his 2026 salary and bonuses, easing Miami’s financial burden.
Still, there’s no clean way out. A trade would saddle the Dolphins with a $45.2 million dead cap hit.
A release before March? That figure jumps to a staggering $99.2 million.
Either way, Miami’s cap sheet is going to feel the impact.
This isn’t just about dollars and cents - it’s about direction. The Dolphins are clearly reshaping their identity under Hafley, and moving on from Tagovailoa would mark a seismic shift for a franchise that once viewed him as its long-term answer under center.
Meanwhile, teams across the league are watching closely, including the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Aaron Rodgers heading into free agency and turning 43 next season, Pittsburgh could be in the market for a new QB1. Until they get clarity on Rodgers’ future, the rest of the quarterback carousel - including Tagovailoa’s situation - will be worth tracking.
Bottom line: Miami’s offseason is already off to a dramatic start, and the Tua Tagovailoa storyline is far from over.