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(Image via Getty: Tua Tagovailoa)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s stats scream excellence: five total seasons. two postseason berths. 2022 passing yards leader. 2023 Pro Bowl winner. 2024 NFL completion percentage leader.
17,913 passing yards, 2,393 passing attempts, 1,625 completions, 118 touchdowns, and a 96.2 passer rating so far.
Passer rating in 2025? 88.5. Did it fulfill the Dolphins’ 25-year-old dream of winning a postseason game? No. The playoffs haven’t started. Could he land a playoff berth this season? No. Is he to be blamed for the team’s 6-8 record and early elimination? Maybe yes. Maybe not. He last played in Week 15 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, losing 28-15.
On Wednesday, hoping for a better finish to the 2025 season, the Dolphins benched Tagovailoa and slated rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers to start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Again, is Tua to blame? He is already being supposedly named as the next reclamation project.
Like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Mac Jones, a fresh start could help Tua Tagovailoa
The Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi reported on December 19 that Tagovailoa struggled this season, and his future is uncertain. He is due $54 million guaranteed in 2026, and if the Dolphins release him, it will take a $99 million cap hit.
They have a crucial decision to make. Tua does not deserve all the blame for Miami’s failures; much of it should fall on head coach Mike McDaniel. Several quarterbacks like Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks), Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and Mac Jones (San Francisco 49ers) have found success this season with a fresh start. Maaddi would not count on Tagovailoa, but he feels Tua could be the next reclamation project.
Five landing spots for Tua Tagovailoa in 2026
The Daily Mail reported five franchises where Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is currently benched, could land in the 2026 season:
- New York Jets: They need a franchise quarterback and may draft one in the first round. Tagovailoa could be an inexpensive bridge quarterback with low risk and high reward.
- Cleveland Browns: They are also looking for a franchise quarterback because their two rookie starters have been tried this season. Dillon Gabriel was 1-5 in six starts. Shedeur Sanders is 1-3 and will start his fifth game this Sunday.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Tagovailoa plays better in a warmer climate, so he is suited for Las Vegas. The Raiders may draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 season.
- Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray’s contract will be tough to trade unless they swap him for Tagovailoa. Murray will be entering his third season of a 5-year contract extension worth $230.5 million, averaging $46.1 million per year, and he’s due $36.8 million in guaranteed money in 2026.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: They took a chance on Aaron Rodgers this season. He is 42 years old and could retire. Even if he returns, the Steelers need a quarterback for their future. Tagovailoa could learn a lot from watching Rodgers play for a season.
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