The Miami Dolphins have plenty of time until they have to decide whether or not to pick up quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s fifth-year option.
Head coach Mike McDaniel said on Tuesday that the team hasn’t decided yet whether or not to pick it up. The option is set to be worth nearly $23.2 million.
No decision yet from the Dolphins on Tua Tagovailoa’s fifth year option per Mike McDaniel.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) February 28, 2023
It’s a bit interesting that the Dolphins have yet to pick up the option, though they’re likely just exploring all of their options and doing some due diligence.
It’s a tough situation to be in, as Tagovailoa showed last season that he has what it takes to be a solid starting quarterback in the NFL, completing 64.8 percent of his passes for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.
However, he dealt with injury issues once again and suffered two confirmed concussions, one of which forced him to miss the team’s lone playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.
Many NFL executives have reportedly said that they wouldn’t exercise Tagovailoa’s fifth-year option due to the health concerns surrounding him.
Declining the option would leave the Dolphins in a similar situation to the one the New York Giants are currently in with Daniel Jones, who just completed arguably the best season of his young career. The Giants declined Jones’ fifth-year option prior to the 2022 regular season and now might have to shell out as much as $45 million per year to re-sign him.
Although Tagovailoa is expected to be Miami’s starting quarterback this season, having a very capable backup would be wise for the organization. Teddy Bridgewater was the team’s main backup last season, but he dealt with injury issues of his own and seems like he might head elsewhere in the offseason.
Skylar Thompson figures to be in the running for that spot, and McDaniel seemingly expects that he’ll have some competition for that position.
McDaniel doesn’t think Skylar Thompson will be the Dolphins’ “unchallenged” backup QB this offseason
Expects the team will bring in some competition at the position
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) February 28, 2023
Thompson started the team’s wild-card game against the Bills and nearly led the team to victory, throwing for over 200 yards and one touchdown.
Only time will tell what the Dolphins end up deciding to do with the fifth-year option. The 2023 campaign might be another make-or-break season for the University of Alabama product.
