Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is one of the most polarizing players in the NFL. While some believe he is criminally underrated, others think he is drastically overrated. His numbers have been above average the past few years, but many credit the elite receivers and Mike McDaniel more than Tagovailoa. The former Alabama quarterback was thought to be next in line for a massive contract extension, but talks have stalled as the two sides are reportedly lightyears apart.
Miami Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa Not Close On Contract Talks
ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported on NFL Live that the Miami Dolphins are sticking firm to their offer and are not offering Tua Tagovailoa a market-resetting deal. Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald echoed this sentiment from the team, saying the team would not pay “a Goff-esque contract rate.” Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff recently inked a four-year, $212 million extension with an annual salary of $53 million. Tagovaiola is countering that the market is what it is and the Dolphins should pay him fairly. Darlington reported neither side is panicking.
“Right now, the Dolphins are not offering the contract that is the market value based on those other deals that were done.” He added that neither side has reached a panic point as of yet, but there’s a clear divide in negotiations because Miami’s offer is “not in the Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence ballpark.”
It seems like an expensive game of chicken right now. Tagovailoa is coming off a season where he led the league in passing yards with 4,624 and added a career-high 29 touchdown passes. It would be shocking if the Miami Dolphins did not find a way to sign their quarterback to an extension. That move would buck any trend in the NFL and leave the team in a precarious position.
What Should The Dolphins Do?
As of this point, this is likely a negotiating tactic. However, the Miami Dolphins are taking a massive risk playing hardball with Tua Tagovailoa. There would be plenty of teams who would line up to sign him. While he has his flaws, he is clearly a top-half-of-the-league quarterback. If Miami is prepared to let him walk, they better have a backup plan. While many reports are projecting them to go after Dak Prescott next offseason, that is assuming the Cowboys don’t find a way to keep him.
Ultimately, the two sides should reach a deal. However, this is not the report Miami Dolphins fans want to hear. The team has lots of expensive players on the roster. Tyreek Hill is looking for a new deal and the team just paid Jaylen Waddle. Even if Miami doesn’t like it, they will likely have to give him a market-value contract. If not, they better have a plan or they will become the laughingstock of the league for losing an above-average quarterback.
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