Tua Tagovailoa’s Historic Extension with Miami Dolphins

For the second time since Dan Marino’s retirement, the Miami Dolphins have signed a quarterback to a multiyear extension.

Tua Tagovailoa’s Record-Breaking News Deal

Tua Tagovailoa agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million deal with the Dolphins, including $167 million guaranteed. This contract is the richest in franchise history and places Tagovailoa among the top eight NFL quarterbacks in guaranteed money.

Resolving the Standoff

The agreement ends a two-day standoff between Tagovailoa and the team, during which he participated minimally in Miami’s training camp practices. This extension makes Tagovailoa, along with Ryan Tannehill, the only quarterbacks to re-sign with the Dolphins since Marino’s 1999 retirement. Tagovailoa, selected fifth overall by the Dolphins in 2020, is the fourth quarterback from the 2020 class to sign an extension, joining Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts.

Why the Dolphins Committed to Tagovailoa

Initially unremarkable in his first two NFL seasons, Tagovailoa’s performance improved significantly under coach Mike McDaniel. He led the NFL in passing yards in 2023 with 4,624 yards and played a full season for the first time in his career. Since McDaniel’s arrival, Tagovailoa has thrown for 8,172 yards and 54 touchdowns, with a 102.9 passer rating and a 67.4% completion rate, ranking him among the top quarterbacks in the league.

“We’re strong believers in him. And you guys all feel coach Mike McDaniel’s passion about him when he talks about him,” Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said in February. “Just in the two years of what he’s done, he’s grown in areas to where he led the league in passing and did some great things this year. And we all feel there’s still another level he can take it.”

Long-Term Risks

Despite Tagovailoa’s improved performance, concerns about his durability linger due to his concussion history. He has taken measures to address these issues, including bulking up to 225 pounds and learning jiu-jitsu to prevent head injuries. His ability to create plays when under pressure remains an area for improvement. He ranked third in quarterback rating for passes attempted in under 2.5 seconds but dropped significantly when taking longer.

Negotiation Hurdles

The guaranteed money in Tagovailoa’s deal was a contentious point during negotiations. His absence during parts of the offseason program highlighted his concerns about securing a competitive contract, especially after seeing other quarterbacks sign lucrative deals. Tagovailoa admitted to feeling “antsy” watching the Detroit Lions sign Jared Goff and the Jacksonville Jaguars ink Trevor Lawrence to substantial extensions.

“I’m not blind to people that are in my position who are getting paid,” he said. “Am I concerned about it? I’m not concerned about it, but there’s a lot of discussion that we’ve had. We’re just trying to move that thing in the right direction to where everyone can be happy.”

Implications for the Dolphins’ Future

The Dolphins now have premier offensive players, including Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, and De’Von Achane, secured for the future. The team also added veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie wideouts Malik Washington and Tahj Washington to its top-ranked offense. Defensively, the Dolphins have several young core players under team control, plus a star veteran in Jalen Ramsey. However, Tagovailoa’s contract could limit the Dolphins’ ability to retain all their young talent.

The AFC is highly competitive, but Miami believes that with Tagovailoa at the helm, they have a legitimate shot at reaching their first Super Bowl since 1984. The team is banking on Tagovailoa’s accuracy and anticipation, despite his playmaking ability falling short of some peers like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes.

Conclusion

Tua Tagovailoa’s extension marks a significant commitment from the Miami Dolphins, reflecting their belief in his potential and leadership. With a robust roster and strategic investments, the Dolphins are poised to compete at the highest level, aiming for a return to the Super Bowl glory days.