Tua Tagovailoa reportedly is in talks with the Miami Dolphins about a new contract that is set be worth more than $50 million per season and make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL.
“A league source said the complex deal is nowhere near completion, but when it gets done, it will ‘easily’ put Tagovailoa in the $50-million-plus per year club that only four other NFL players, all quarterbacks, currently belong,” wrote Armando Salguero.
Tagovailoa is about to enter his fifth NFL season, which as a former first-round pick makes him eligible for a contract extension. Miami picked up his contract option for the upcoming 2024 season back in March, and the sides then failed to come to terms on a longer agreement prior to this past season.
Now, with the Dolphins facing some salary cap concerns, they reportedly are heading toward giving Tagovailoa a huge deal in the same ballpark as those of fellow quarterbacks Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert.
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier reportedly said the team and Tagovailoa’s agents will meet to further discuss a new contract at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, which is ongoing in Indianapolis.
Earlier in the week, agent Drew Rosenhaus said the Dolphins should prioritize a long-term contract for defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who is about to become a free agent, before one for Tagovailoa, who is under contract for the 2024 NFL season.
However, the sooner the Dolphins have their franchise quarterback signed to a long-term deal, the sooner they will know how much money they have to spend on other players going forward. The No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Tagovailoa counted more than $9 million against the cap playing on his rookie contract this past season.
The NFL salary cap is increasing by more than $30 million to more than $255 million per team this coming season. Despite that relief, the Dolphins are projected to be over it by about $30 million.
They also have significant decisions to make about possible new contracts for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and pass rusher Jalean Phillips. Grier said there are five or six players Miami is talking to as candidates for possible contract extensions.
The Dolphins clearly have a lot on their to-do list this offseason. Being able to check off a new contract for Tagovailoa would be a successful first step.
