The Miami Dolphins, undergoing a broad offseason overhaul led by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, have begun releasing high-profile players, including Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb, to clear cap and reshape the roster. With these moves, attention shifts to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who could be on the move this offseason. While Miami would prefer to trade Tagovailoa rather than release him, NFL insider Ian Rapoport suggests a trade may not be feasible given his contract and the team’s financial considerations.
Tagovailoa’s market remains uncertain despite a productive 2023 season and a 2025 stat line of 2,660 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, complemented by 15 interceptions. The decision is complicated by his four-year, $212.5 million deal signed in July 2024, which would generate significant dead money if released. A post-June 1 designation could spread the burden, but the financial risk remains substantial for Miami.
Rapoport noted on The Rich Eisen Show that while a trade is the preferred outcome, the practical feasibility of finding a partner may be limited. If no trade materializes, the Dolphins could face a difficult choice, potentially releasing Tagovailoa and absorbing a large dead-money hit.
Overall, Miami appears intent on a fresh start, both through personnel changes and the potential move away from Tagovailoa. As the team weighs options, the coming weeks will determine whether Tagovailoa remains on the roster or becomes the centerpiece of a broader rebuild.
