As Tua Tagovailoa’s rookie contract nears its expiration, the Miami Dolphins quarterback is focusing on the season ahead and letting his agent handle the logistics.
Tagovailoa spoke with Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post on the current contract talks with the team, saying he is excited to participate in the team’s summer training while the negotiations go place behind the scenes.
There had been some concern that Tagovailoa would miss OTAs due to continuing contract negotiations, but the quarterback has made it clear that he intends to go with his teammates.
“Just letting my agent deal with that and talk to the team about that,” he told reporters. “For me, my focus is when OTAs come, go to OTAs, show up and be the best teammate I can be.”
🗣 Tua Tagovailoa reveal he will not holdout during contract negotiations: “I’m letting my agent deal with that, talk to them team about that. Go to OTAs, show up, and be the best teammate I can be.” #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/YWFgo7DiYi
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) April 11, 2024
Dolphins Face Big Decision on Tua Tagovailoa’s Future
The Dolphins are about to make a choice on Tagovailoa’s long-term future in Miami, and the standard for other quarterbacks in his draft class has already been set high. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk pointed out, the two other quarterbacks selected in the top six of the 2020 NFL Draft — Joe Burrow (No. 1 overall) and Justin Herbert (No. 6) — have already signed contracts worth $55 million per year and $52.5 million, respectively.
Florio projected that Tagovailoa would not receive such a big salary, but would receive a significant increase from his rookie contract.
“If Tua, the fifth pick that year, wants to split the difference between those two, that’s surely not happening,” Florio noted in an email.
“The difficulty becomes determining the right amount and the appropriate guarantees. He will earn $23.17 million this year. He deserves a lot more. “But how much more?”
The Dolphins have choices when Tagovailoa finishes his rookie contract, including the franchise tag, which may give them extra time to make a long-term decision.
Tua Tagovailoa Working With Former Dolphins Quarterback
While the team is in talks with Tagovailoa’s representation about the next deal, the quarterback has been practicing with a former Dolphins quarterback to improve his skills. Tagovailoa told The Palm Beach Post that he is working with quarterback coach John Beck on “little goals that lead up to the bigger goals that I have.”
The organization does not anticipate a hard discussion with Tagovailoa, who remains determined to improve his game. Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting in March that he expected the quarterback to participate in all of the team’s offseason exercises and praised his outstanding work ethic.
“I do expect Tua to be in OTAs only because of my working relationship with Tua,” McDaniel told Pro Football Talk. “For two years, I’ve witnessed Tua earn incredible residuals toward the season in that method.
“It’s part of the reason Tua is who he is because he’s always learning, never remaining the same, and constantly honing his trade. I know the one thing he enjoys doing now in his life, aside from being a kick [expletive] dad to Ace and Maizy, is playing football with his colleagues. That is what I expect.”
