Miami Dolphins make brutal $99million Tua Tagovailoa decision as quarterback’s career hits new low
Tua Tagovailoa is being released by the Miami Dolphins, the team has announced.
The 28-year-old quarterback, who only signed a four-year, $212million contract in July 2024, endured a nightmare 2025 campaign as Miami went 7-10 and missed out on the playoffs once again.
Before the season was out, then-head coach Mike McDaniel benched Tagovailoa after he threw a career-high 15 interceptions and recorded fewer than 200 passing yards on eight occasions, with rookie Quinn Ewers replacing him for the final three games.
And following their miserable year, Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has announced that they are going their separate ways – which will result in a staggering $99.2m dead cap hit for the team next season.
‘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 in a statement early Monday morning.
‘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 in Miami.
The Miami Dolphins are releasing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after his nightmare 2025 season
Tagovailoa, who has suffered several concussions in recent years, was benched late last year
‘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 also broke his silence later in the morning, thanking Miami for ‘six unforgettable years’ in an emotional post on Instagram.
‘From the moment I arrived, you believed in me, supported me, and embraced my family as your own,’ he wrote. ‘I was able to marry my wife and welcome both my kids to this world. I was able to fortunately allow them to experience life from one I never got to growing up. Wearing this jersey and representing this city has been one of the greatest joys of my life.’
After paying tribute to his teammates and Dolphins staff, Tagovailoa continued: ‘To the fans — your energy, loyalty, and passion meant everything. You lifted me up in the biggest moments and stood by me through the challenging ones. From my first start I had, to the first touchdown I threw I’m grateful for all of it. My family and I felt your love every step of the way. I also carry deep regret that I couldn’t get the job done and bring a championship home to this city. Miami deserves that, and I’ll always wish I could have delivered it for you.’
‘As I prepare for the next chapter, I move forward with gratitude, faith, and memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime,’ he concluded. ‘South Florida will always hold a special place in my heart. 1Love – UNO out’.
By cutting their franchise quarterback, the Dolphins are taking on close to $100m in dead money split over two years, which is an NFL record.
Amid speculation over his future in Miami, Tagovailoa revealed that a split was on the cards back in January.
Miami is embarking on a new chapter after head coach Mike McDaniel (left) was also fired
When asked whether he would like a fresh start, he told reporters: ‘That would be dope. I would be good with it.’
The former Alabama star was selected by Miami with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2020 Draft and became starting quarterback midway through his rookie year.
He didn’t reach the playoffs until his third season, only to miss their Wild Card round defeat to the Buffalo Bills after suffering three concussions within as many months – an issue which would go on to plague his time at Hard Rock Stadium.
His first postseason outing the following year ended in defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Dolphins failed to make it back the next year when Tagovailoa missed six games due to a hip injury and yet another concussion, leading to concerns over his health.
The Hawaii-born signal caller then saw his form plummet in 2025 as McDaniel’s team failed to reach the playoffs for the second straight year, with both of them losing their jobs as a result.
While it will cost them a record amount in dead money, Tagovailoa’s departure allows the Dolphins to embark on a fresh start at quarterback in 2026.
Miami holds the 11th overall pick in this year’s Draft, with head coach Jeff Hafley also in need of a reinforcement at cornerback with the likes of Rasul Douglas and Storm Duck potentially heading for free agency.
