Tua Tagovailoa contract situation with the Miami Dolphins now murky after latest report

Miami Dolphins star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been away from the team all offseason while seeking a new contract. Throughout most of the offseason, it appeared that Tagovailoa and the Dolphins would reach an agreement on a new deal. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, set to earn $23.17 million, a substantial raise seems imminent based on his performance and the evolving quarterback market in the NFL.

Earlier this week, the Detroit Lions signed star quarterback Jared Goff to a four-year, $212 million contract, setting a precedent for Tagovailoa’s potential extension in Miami. Dolphins general manager Chris Grier expressed confidence earlier in the offseason that a deal would be reached before the 2024 campaign.

“We stayed in touch with his agent and had good conversations throughout the year. We never discussed money, just talked about where he is, his relationship with Mike, the team here, and everything he’s done. The goal is to have him here long-term, playing at a high level. That’s always been the goal, and we will continue to communicate with him in the offseason.”

However, the latest update on the situation might complicate matters. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Tagovailoa has been absent from voluntary offseason activities this spring, with his absence directly related to his contract situation. Whether Tagovailoa will hold out during training camp if an extension isn’t reached remains uncertain, but it seems unlikely at this point.

Miami is trying to protect itself in the new contract negotiations. ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacquez reported that the Dolphins want to include various bonuses in the contract, such as a signing bonus, base salary, workout bonus, and per-game roster bonuses, particularly due to concerns about Tagovailoa’s health. However, his agents are expected to resist these conditions.

Last season, Tagovailoa completed 69% of his passes for a league-leading 4,624 yards, with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Despite any reservations the Dolphins’ management may have about his long-term potential as an elite franchise quarterback, Tagovailoa remains their best option moving forward. This gives him and his representatives at Athletes First significant leverage in the negotiations.