Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is facing an uncertain future after being benched for the final three games of the team’s 2025 NFL season.
New Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan didn’t shed much light on the team’s plans with Tagovailoa during a media availability at the 2026 NFL Combine.
Sullivan volunteered that the Dolphins had yet to make a decision about Tagovailoa’s future as Miami continues to evaluate its roster ahead of free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft.
‘We’ve had conversations with Tua and his representation. Everything is on the table, including the potential of a trade,’ Sullivan told reporters. ‘We don’t know which way that’s going to go. There’s a lot of different factors in play, a lot of conversations being had.’
Sullivan also clarified Tagovailoa had not demanded a trade away from the team.
However, Tagovailoa previously acknowledged it would be ‘dope’ to get a fresh start at an end-of-season media availability; and NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported ahead of Super Bowl 60 that, ‘all signs are pointing toward Miami’s new regime moving on at quarterback.’
So, what are the Dolphins’ options with Tagovailoa? Here’s a breakdown of where he could land if he does, in fact, exit Miami as expected.
Can Dolphins trade Tua Tagovailoa?
Trading Tagovailoa would likely be the preferrable option for the Dolphins should they move on from the soon-to-be 28-year-old quarterback during the offseason. Still, it would be costly.
The Dolphins would absorb a $45.2 million dead-cap hit – which is a salary cap charge for a player no longer on a team’s roster – if they trade Tagovailoa at any point before the 2026 NFL season, per Spotrac.com.
The timing of a Tagovailoa trade would influence when Miami would take on the dead money. Trading him before June 1 would require the team to absorb the entire $45.2 million dead-cap hit in 2026.
That said, by waiting until after June 1 to trade Tagovailoa, the Dolphins would be able to split the cost of his dead-cap hit over two seasons. That would allow Miami to absorb a $13.4 million dead-cap hit in 2026 and one of $31.8 million in 2027, per Spotrac.com.
Such a maneuver would create the $43 million in cap saving for the Dolphins in 2026. The former would only net a savings of just under $11.1 million.
While waiting until after June 1 to complete a trade may be desirable for the Dolphins, it may not be realistic. Any team willing to trade for Tagovailoa with three years left on his four-year, $212.4 million contract would likely view him as a starter. As such, they likely wouldn’t be willing to wait until after June 1 to complete a trade.
And even finding a team that views Tagovailoa as a starter at his current price – he is owed $141.4 million in cash over the remainder of his deal – doesn’t seem overly likely.
Can Dolphins cut Tua Tagovailoa?
If the Dolphins fail to find a trade partner for Tagovailoa, they could simply cut him. However, doing so would be far more costly than a trade, as releasing the 2020 first-round pick would result in the Dolphins having to take an unprecedented $99.2 million dead-cap hit, per Spotrac.com.
Should Miami take that course of action, it would have to either absorb the entire dead-cap hit in 2026 – which would cost the team a whopping $42.8 million in present-year cap space – or it would have to designate Tagovailoa a post-June 1 release and spread his dead-cap hit over two years.
Even the latter scenario wouldn’t provide the Dolphins much relief. They would still take a $67.4 million dead-cap hit in 2026, which would cost them $11.1 million in cap space, before taking on the remaining $31.8 million in dead cap the following season.
Teams have shown an increased willingness to take on monumental dead-cap hits in recent seasons. The most notable example was the record-setting $85 million the Denver Broncos absorbed when releasing Russell Wilson ahead of the 2024 NFL offseason.
So, if Miami’s new regime wants to rip off the Band-Aid and reset at the quarterback position, it could follow in Denver’s footsteps.
But if the Dolphins view the cost of releasing Tagovailoa as prohibitive and can’t find a trade partner, they could keep the veteran quarterback on the roster knowing it will be significantly easier to move on next offseason when his dead-cap hit drops to $31.8 million.
Tua Tagovailoa landing spots
Tagovailoa isn’t likely to generate much trade interest, but teams may be more interested in acquiring him as a reclamation project if he’s released. Here’s a look at some potential fits for the 2023 Pro Bowler.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals appear to be heading for a split with Kyler Murray. Arizona could be content to roll with Jacoby Brissett as its starter, given his prolific performance in Murray’s stead, but the Cardinals may still want a long-term starter to pair with the 33-year-old Brissett. Tagovailoa could fit the bill, and it’s worth wondering whether the Dolphins would consider taking on Murray should the two sides discuss a trade.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings aren’t going to give up on J.J. McCarthy despite an up-and-down first season as a starter. They are, however, likely to bring in veteran competition and insurance for the 2024 first-round pick, who has played just 10 total games across his first two seasons.
Tagovailoa could be an ideal fit as a challenger to McCarthy. Pairing the 28-year-old with another quality offensive mind like Kevin O’Connell could pay dividends.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are moving on from Kirk Cousins just two seasons after signing him to a four-year, $180 million contract. Michael Penix Jr. will remain installed as Atlanta’s starter, but he is coming off a torn ACL. Adding veteran insurance behind him would be smart, and Tagovailoa – a lefty, like Penix – could find success in a well-built Atlanta offense.
Los Angeles Rams
It would likely behoove the Rams to invest in a potential successor for Stafford at some point, and Tagovailoa – who turns 28 on March 5 – could be a creative option for that role. He could serve as a proven backup in 2026 and eventually be entrusted to take the reins of Sean McVay’s offense when Stafford does call it a career.