The Dolphins don’t appear to want anything to do with Tua Tagovailoa anymore.
The team is “expected to be willing to pay down a portion” of the quarterback’s massive contract as they move in a direction at the position in Miami, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Tagovailoa has three years left on the four-year, $212.1 million deal he signed with the Dolphins during the summer of 2024.
He is owed $54 million guaranteed next season, and $3 million more if he’s still on the Dolphins’ roster on March 15.
The Dolphins are reportedly all but set to move on from Tagovailoa, who was benched late in the regular season in favor of third-string quarterback Quinn Ewers, as their starting QB.
Earlier this week, the Miami Herald reported that the franchise could potentially keep Tagovailoa on their roster if a trade doesn’t materielize.
Miami would take a $99 million cap hit if they outright release Tagovailoa, although they could spread that money over two years if they wait until after June 1.
Tagovailoa appears ready for a new start as well, telling reporters after the season that he would “be good with” going elsewhere.
The Alabama product threw for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 14 starts this season, which was well short of what the Dolphins expected when they gave him his big contract.
In six seasons in Miami, Tagovailoa has made just one Pro Bowl appearance and played in one postseason game, a 26-7 wild-card loss to the Chiefs in 2023.
The Dolphins are entering a new era at head coach as well after hiring former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to replace the fired Mike McDaniel.