The Miami Dolphins have informed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa that they are planning to release him when the new league year begins on Wednesday. The move comes as the team looks to reset its salary cap and after two years of struggles on offense for the team.
Selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, Tagovailoa has been Miami’s starting quarterback for six seasons. He led the league in passer rating and yards per attempt in 2022, in passing yards in 2023, and in completion percentage in 2024. Last year, the wheels seemed to come off for Tagovailoa, who did not resemble the quarterback Miami selected out of Alabama.
Injuries have dominated Tagovailoa’s career, particularly concussions. He has played a full season only once, in 2023, which ended with a Pro Bowl selection. He has missed 23 regular-season games during his six seasons, including three last year.
He finishes his Dolphins career with a 44-32 record, throwing for 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns, 59 interceptions, and a 96.4 passer rating. His passing yards and touchdowns are the fourth most in franchise history and he has the best passer rating in team history.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan released a statement about the team’s decision to move on from Tagovailoa:
“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.
“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 in Miami.
“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.”
Tagovailoa’s release will accelerate $99.2 million in dead money into the Dolphins’ salary cap. Waiting until the start of the new league year to officially release Tagovailoa likely indicates the team will use the post-June 1 designation on their quarterback, allowing them to split that money over two years instead of absorbing all of it this season. The Dolphins will likely have around $67 million in dead money counting against their cap space this season from Tagovailoa’s contract, with another $32 million in 2027.
Accounting for the release of Tagovailoa, Miami has second-year quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller under contract for the 2026 season. Zach Wilson, who served as the second-string quarterback for much of 2025, is scheduled to be a free agent when the new league year begins.
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