Report: Dolphins cutting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins are moving on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The move signals a dramatic shift for the franchise heading into the new NFL league year.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Miami plans to release Tagovailoa with a post-June 1 designation. The move will come with a massive financial consequence, as the Dolphins will absorb an NFL-record $99 million in dead money spread over two seasons.

“Sources: The Dolphins are releasing QB Tua Tagovailoa with a post–June 1 designation,” Schefter reported. “By cutting Tagovailoa, Miami will take on an NFL-record $99 million in dead money, split over two years, but new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and HC Jeff Hafley now get a fresh start at the quarterback position.”

Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan confirmed the decision in a statement Saturday, thanking Tagovailoa for his six seasons with the organization: “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.

Sullivan emphasized the organization’s respect for Tagovailoa while explaining the team’s broader vision moving forward: “As I shared with Tua, I have great respect for the person and player he is,” Sullivan added. “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 in Miami.”

With a new front office and coaching staff in place, Miami appears focused on reshaping the roster and creating competition at key positions: “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 toward building a sustained winner,” Sullivan explained.

Alas, Tagovailoa’s tenure in Miami included flashes of high-level play. After being selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama, he took a major step forward under head coach Mike McDaniel during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. His best year came in 2023, when he led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards while throwing 29 touchdowns and earning Pro Bowl recognition.

However, injuries and inconsistent performance began to derail that momentum. This past season, Tagovailoa threw for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions across 14 games before eventually being benched. The arrival of new head coach Jeff Hafley and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik appears to have accelerated the team’s decision to move in a different direction.

Now entering free agency, Tagovailoa is expected to draw interest from teams still searching for quarterback stability. One potential landing spot that has already been mentioned around the league is the Atlanta Falcons, who continue developing Michael Penix Jr. and could be looking for a veteran option.

Wherever he lands next, Tagovailoa will likely get another opportunity to prove he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL. We’ll see if he makes good on it this time around.