There is excitement surrounding the 2024 Miami Dolphins season, but one major question mark that lingers has to do with star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s contract.
Tagovailoa was part of a loaded quarterback draft class that included the likes of Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts. Many of those quarterbacks have received massive contract extensions, but Tagovailoa has not.
Now, even players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft are receiving massive extensions. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft, quarterback Trevor Lawrence, signed a five-year, $275 million contract days ago.
Despite the increasing pressure on the Dolphins to get a deal done with Tagovailoa, a recent report indicates that little progress has been made. However, the report also indicates that the Dolphins are intent on getting a deal with their star passer done.
Which QBs are next to enter $50M club? Breaking down Tua, Love and Dak outlook (and vet QBs from minicamp)…on @sportscenter with @randyscott pic.twitter.com/v8IQhVacXk
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 16, 2024
“The Dolphins are committed to doin’ a long-term deal,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said of Tagovailoa. “They’ve made that clear both publicly and privately. Not a ton of progress yet, but I believe that they’re at least in the ballpark, and this could perk up this summer. They got six weeks before training camp.
“This is a player that led the league in passing, played 17 games last year, showed he could be durable, so he’s got some leverage. They wanna pay him.”
Tagovailoa’s ability to show some durability last season has likely helped the Dolphins front office feel better about committing to him long term.
In his first three years in the NFL, Tagovailoa never managed to play more than 13 games in a season. In the 2022 season, he suffered some scary head injuries. Those injuries appeared to put his NFL career in doubt.
However, he bounced back last season in a big way, playing in 17 games (plus a playoff game) and setting career marks in key categories. He finished with 4,624 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns and an impressive 69.3 completion percentage. He did throw a career-high 14 interceptions last season, too, however, which is surely something he’ll look to cut back on in the 2024 campaign.
The Dolphins are seen as possible contenders heading into the upcoming season, and Tagovailoa is a big part of what makes the offense go. It will be interesting to see if both sides can come together and get a deal done before the much-anticipated season gets underway.
Miami will open its regular season on Sept. 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars at home.
