The Dolphins begin their organized team activities next week, and that will mark an important (but voluntary) next step in the team’s offseason program. Given the actions of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in recent weeks, it remains to be seen if he will be present. 
The extension-eligible passer has been away from Miami for the “large majority” of the team’s offseason work to date, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports. The Dolphins’ program began one month ago, and Tagovailoa has been seen with the team at times (with his most recent documented participation coming on April 19). The 26-year-old has been a full participant at OTAs and other voluntary workouts in previous offseasons.
Tagovailoa is under contract through 2024, as he is set to play on his fifth-year option. That has him on track to earn $23.17MM, a much lower figure than the one which a multi-year extension will carry. Talks on a monster deal are ongoing, but Jones unsurprisingly confirms Tagovailoa’s absence is believed to be tied to the fact he does not yet have a pact in hand.
The top of the quarterback market surged past $50MM per year last offseason, with four ascending passers (Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts) securing mega-deals which will kick in after their rookie contracts. Jared Goff became the latest signal-caller to secure a massive payday, with the Lions agreeing to a $53MM-per-year deal. Notably, however, that represents Goff’s third NFL contract.
Tagovailoa is three years younger than Goff, though the former’s career has of course featured a number of injury concerns. The 2023 campaign – the fourth of his career – marked the first one in which Tagovailoa played in every game. The former No. 5 pick committed to improving his durability last offseason, and his efforts on that front paid off. Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards while setting career highs in completion percentage (69.3%) and touchdowns passes (29).
Those figures earned the Alabama product a Pro Bowl nod for the first time. They also helped his market value and his chances of landing a long-term Miami investment. As of March, the team did not see an extension as a pressing matter, though, and the Dolphins have certainly been active on a number of other fronts this offseason. The team has made several agent additions along the defensive line following Christian Wilkins‘ departure, and both wideout Jaylen Waddle and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips have had their 2025 fifth-year options picked up.
Each member of the latter pair profiles as a top extension candidate, and safety Jevon Holland (who is entering the final year of his rookie contract) is also in the team’s long-term plans. The franchise tag could be an option for Holland or Tagovailoa next year, but only if negotiations stall out over a long period of time. It will be interesting to see if Tagovailoa is present for OTAs next week, though an absence would only open the door to financial penalties if it extended into mandatory minicamp in June or training camp the following month.
Nothing against Tua, but the Dolphins should probably consider other options. All those concussions are going to cause somebody to regret giving him a lot of guaranteed money. I know it’s a cut throat thing to say, but when QB contracts go bad, it’s crippling for a franchise.
The alternative is even worse. They give the contract and he tries to hide head injuries in order to try to live up to the contract. We’ve seen how that turns out. There are just some things more important than money and football.
What’s their alternative, franchise tag? That screwed Dallas and now they’re a cap mess.
Probably just time to move on. Miami’s coach seems like a guy who could develop another QB like Shanahan or Reid. It’s not an easy decision. But it’s probably the best move in the long run.
I can’t put my finger on why but I’ve been getting Andrew Luck vibes
Tua has missed more open receivers
As a Bills fan I hope he gets more $ than Goff, Tua is mediocre at best
Wow. He finally manages to stay healthy for an entire season, plays like dog in the playoff game, is guaranteed over $23M this season and he decides to skip OTAs. A real case study in team leadership huh?
I also don’t remember him returning any money for all the games he missed his first three years in the league.
Not gonna some of this is ignorant. Would you return money to your job if you called out sick, or do you collect that paycheck?
You will never win a Super Bowl with Tua at QB. Stafford was rumored to be available after 2022 and Miami blew it.
Can you also please tell us the winning the powerball numbers ?
Moving on from Tua is the way to go. Definitely not worth a huge contract
Never been high on the guy. He seems average at best.
Having Tyreek Hill will inflate your #s lol
Tua ain’t the problem in Miami — you don’t win in the NFL without defense and the Dolphins play defense one way. S-A-W-F-T.
… and you can’t teach THAT!
Realest guy in the room; how YOU doin’?
lol
While that might be true, it was still a bad game for Tua.
Tua isn’t an elite talent. He has no physically elite gifts. He gets a big bump from the WR investments.
But I still think he is ok. Not gonna be in the top tier – ever. And if you sign him you are likely going to want more.
Its kind of a trap – upgrading isn’t easy to do and he gives you enough that you wont draft high. But sticking with him means you are accepting a limited QB who needs a ton of help.
I actually think if he played somewhere else, I might want to root for him. He seems like a good kid.
If I’m Tua, I don’t push it. I accept a decent contract and hope they continue to invest in WR when Tyreke retires.
McDaniels is a good enough coach to get the most out of him, you just might want more. (And I haven’t touched on the concussions)
How could any sane QB pass up a chance to work with an outstanding talent like OBJ during the off season? (sarcasm intended)
No matter what he says about wanting to retire a Dolphin, Reek is 30 and not even a Cheetah can outrun Father Time.
He wants another ring and unless the planets align this season, he’s gonna start reading the same tea leaves most everyone else (who doesn’t either live in KC or rides the Kermit Bandwagon) already sees
… and that’s when he goes into Squeaky Wheel Overdrive
Tua is not a good QB. Anyone can throw to tyreek hill. Remember when Miami was “tanking for Tua”… LOL
I was hoping that the Raiders would trade for him two years ago. But it is fair to question how much of his success is due to Hill and Waddle.
Same can be said of Burrows with the talent he has (had) in Cincy. Oh wait we can only scrutinize Tua sorry
These QB contracts are getting out of control. Just saying.
What do you mean? They’ve got a boatload of payoff wins for that money! Aside from Lamar — all posers.
Hill is planning to retire in a year or two, thus Tua’s next contract should align with that.
He is? How do you know?
Anyone saying that Tua is “mediocre” has no clue what they are babbling about. Talking out their you know what.
He led the league in passing yards last season and led the league in passer rating the year before. Numbers don’t lie. He was also a stud in college so it’s not like he is just some system quarterback.
The Dolphins would be absolute fools to let him walk.