Miami fired Mike McDaniel in a surprise decision and quickly installed Hafley as the new leader, signaling a broader recalibration of the roster. With Hafley taking over, the evaluation of Tagovailoa becomes the defining storyline of Miami’s plan for 2026 and beyond.
Tagovailoa has had a roller-coaster career marked by high ceiling moments and injury-related questions. After an injury-plagued 2024 season, he was benched late in 2025, and in 14 games that year he threw a career-high 15 interceptions while the offense struggled to push the ball downfield. By contrast, 2023 saw him lead the league with 4,624 passing yards and earn his lone Pro Bowl nod.
NFL insider Josina Anderson has connected Tagovailoa to the New York Jets as a potential landing spot, particularly if New York hires Miami’s quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator, Darrell Bevell, to run the offense. Anderson framed the situation as part of a broader “new era” dynamic that sometimes includes quarterback changes.
Trading Tagovailoa would likely offer Miami the most financial relief and a chance to reset the roster under Hafley, though obtaining a favorable deal could prove challenging. If a trade isn’t feasible, the Dolphins could opt to release him to wipe the remaining guarantees, balancing the cost against the need for a fresh start around a new coaching staff.
Ultimately, the Dolphins’ decision on Tagovailoa’s future shapes the team’s reset under Hafley. With the quarterback position in flux and the roster needing iteration, Tagovailoa’s status stands as the most impactful storyline of Miami’s offseason.
