Trading Tagovailoa is a possibility, but the Dolphins would likely have to eat a large portion of his $54 million fully guaranteed salary through 2026, and another $45.2 million due immediately would fall this year, according to Pelissero.
Cutting Tagovailoa, however, would allow the Dolphins to spread nearly $100 million over the next two years, according to Pelissero.
The writing has been on the wall for the Dolphins, who are moving on from the 5th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft due to QB decline in 2025. Tagovailoa even admitted that a fresh start is “dope” after being benched midway through the 2025 season.
As for Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who is coming off a serious knee injury at 32 years old, he also has $16 million guaranteed on March 13. With it unclear when and even if Hill will be able to play in 2026, Miami could also let the eight-time Pro Bowler go in the coming weeks.
After the firing of Mike McDaniel, who developed and beat out Tagovailoa, it’s no surprise that the new Dolphins brass, which includes new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, are looking for a fresh start.
Hill’s potential departure following Tagovailoa’s would certainly mark the end of an era in Miami.