The Miami Dolphins are moving on from Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback they drafted with the fifth overall pick in 2020 in hopes of turning the franchise’s fortunes around.
The move will cost the Dolphins an NFL record $99m in dead money against the salary cap. ESPN reported that the move will be designated after 1 June, meaning the Dolphins will spread the hit to their salary cap across two years ($67.4m in 2026, $31.8m in 2027).
“As we move forward, we will be focused on infusing competition across the roster and establishing a strong foundation for this team as we work towards building a sustained winner,” Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said in a statement on Monday.
The move comes less than two years after Tagovailoa signed a franchise-record $212.4m extension with Miami.
“I recently informed Tua and his representation that we are going to move in a new direction at the quarterback position and will be releasing him after the start of the new league year,” Sullivan said. “As I shared with Tua, I have great respect for the person and player he is. On behalf of the Miami Dolphins, I expressed our gratitude for his many contributions, both on the field and in the community, during his six seasons.”
Tagovailoa is owed $55m in salary in 2026, which the Dolphins will need to pay in full, although that could be partly offset by any team who signs him. The Dolphins had been hoping to find a trade partner for the quarterback but they could not find anyone leading to Monday’s announcement.
Tagovailoa showed flashes of promise in Miami, and led the league in passing in 2023 and in passer rating in 2022. However, he struggled with inconsistency and injuries throughout his Dolphins career. Concussions were a particular problem: he has been diagnosed with three so far over his NFL career, and at one point it was feared they could force him into an early retirement.
“As I prepare for the next chapter, I move forward with gratitude, faith, and memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime,” Tagovailoa said in a social media post on Monday. “South Florida will always hold a special place in my heart.”
The 28-year-old led the Dolphins to the playoffs twice during his six seasons in Miami but never won a postseason game. He went 44-32 and threw for 18,166 yards, with 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions.
Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round pick in 2025, is now the No 1 quarterback on the Dolphins roster. Miami have the No 11 pick in this year’s draft, but it is not considered to have a strong class of quarterbacks.
