The Miami Dolphins observed other teams making headlines this offseason with historic contract extensions for their quarterbacks. Although Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t yet secured a long-term deal, negotiations appear to be progressing well.
Last year, Miami wasn’t interested in extending Tagovailoa’s contract. Despite leading the NFL in passer rating and helping the team reach the playoffs, he suffered multiple head injuries. The Dolphins’ front office had significant concerns about his long-term health and wanted him to prove himself in 2023.
Tagovailoa delivered. The 26-year-old quarterback earned his first Pro Bowl selection, led the NFL in passing yards, and started all 17 regular-season games, achieving an 11-6 record and leading Miami to the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
This offseason, the Dolphins resumed negotiations. However, with NFL revenue soaring, the salaries for the highest-paid players have also increased. This situation has left Miami needing to offer more than initially expected, but discussions are ongoing.
On SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL reporter Jeff Darlington mentioned that Tagovailoa and the Dolphins are actively communicating about a new deal, though one is not expected before training camp.
Tua Tagovailoa’s 2023 stats: 4,624 passing yards, 29-14 TD-INT, 101.1 QB rating, 69.3 percent completion rate, 8.3 yards per attempt, 11-6 record.
It is expected that Tagovailoa’s contract will be in the range of $53 million per season, at least matching the average annual value received by Jared Goff and possibly pushing to match Trevor Lawrence’s $55 million AAV.
However, negotiations may be more complex with Tagovailoa compared to other quarterbacks. The Dolphins want protections in a long-term deal to ensure financial security if Tagovailoa’s durability issues persist. While a deal isn’t imminent, it’s anticipated that an agreement will be reached before Tagovailoa becomes eligible for NFL free agency.