Tagovailoa and the Dolphins agreed to terms Friday on a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Tagovailoa and Miami spent much of the offseason wrapped up in negotiations for a long-term extension, and the 2020 first-round pick now gets a multi-year commitment and large payday from the franchise that once selected him fifth overall. While awaiting a new deal, Tagovailoa only practiced partially at training camp, but Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports that he returned as a full participant Friday. Since pairing with head coach Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa has transformed into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL and taken full advantage of having stars Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle headlining his wide receiver corps. The 26-year-old is coming off the first full season of his four-year career, a 2023 campaign in which he led the league with 4,624 passing yards while throwing 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, with his 8.3 YPA ranking second in the NFL. The additions of No. 3 receiver Odell Beckham (undisclosed) and TE Jonnu Smith, plus another year of growth in McDaniel's offensive scheme, could provide enough fuel for Tagovailoa to take yet another step forward during the 2024 campaign.
Unlock the latest Miami Dolphins news — direct to your inbox.
Status
ACTIVELatest Tua Tagovailoa news
Career History
It's the offseason! 😎
Check back next season for fresh
AI-powered projections.
Can't wait for more data?
Join dfsPro Daily for free
AI-powered Fantasy Picks
Year-Round.
Tagovailoa and the Dolphins agreed to terms Friday on a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Tagovailoa and Miami spent much of the offseason wrapped up in negotiations for a long-term extension, and the 2020 first-round pick now gets a multi-year commitment and large payday from the franchise that once selected him fifth overall. While awaiting a new deal, Tagovailoa only practiced partially at training camp, but Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports that he returned as a full participant Friday. Since pairing with head coach Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa has transformed into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL and taken full advantage of having stars Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle headlining his wide receiver corps. The 26-year-old is coming off the first full season of his four-year career, a 2023 campaign in which he led the league with 4,624 passing yards while throwing 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, with his 8.3 YPA ranking second in the NFL. The additions of No. 3 receiver Odell Beckham (undisclosed) and TE Jonnu Smith, plus another year of growth in McDaniel's offensive scheme, could provide enough fuel for Tagovailoa to take yet another step forward during the 2024 campaign.
Tagovailoa's practice participation at training camp will be limited amidst ongoing contract negotiations with the Dolphins, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports. Tagovailoa's current activity level at training camp is reminiscent of his participation during spring practices, when attended all of June minicamp but missed some time at OTAs. In Wednesday's practice, he participated fully in individual and 7-on-7 drills but only took two snaps in 11-on-11s. Head coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa's situation is "very fluid," noting that the team is "taking it day by day." This offseason, quarterbacks Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence both signed massive extensions with their respective franchises. Elsewhere around the NFL, Jordan Love and Dak Prescott are notable quarterbacks also negotiating for new deals. The Dolphins thus have plenty of incentive to get an extension locked in for Tagovailoa quickly, both to get the quarterback back on the field and taking reps as soon as possible, and to avoid having to pay a higher price in an ever-increasing market for signal-callers.
Coach Mike McDaniel said at OTAs that Tagovailoa, who continues to vie for a contract extension beyond his fifth-year option, has dropped between 10 and 15 pounds this offseason, Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post reports. Tagovailoa has been an on-and-off participant at OTAs for Miami, but McDaniel made clear that his attendance schedule has been a non-issue. The quarterback added weight last offseason in order to protect himself, and coupled with training to reduce impact taken when falling to the ground, that allowed Tagovailoa to play a full 17-game slate for the first time in his NFL career. It appears that the signal-caller is now putting in the work to get more mobile while keeping the traits that have added to his durability, with McDaniel noting that Tagovailoa is looking "svelte." Both sides will continue negotiations on a multi-year extension, though Alain Poupart of SI.com notes the possibility of Tagovailoa playing out the 2024 season on his fifth-year option can't be entirely dismissed.
Tagovailoa is present for the start of OTAs on Monday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Tagovailoa was recently reported to have missed a notable amount of Miami's offseason work amid ongoing talks about a contract extension, but the 26-year-old quarterback is in the building to kick off the start of OTAs. It appears that both Tagovailoa and the Dolphins' organization are confident that an extension will get done prior to the start of the regular season, so unless things stall on that front there shouldn't be too many concerns about the quarterback's offseason participation. Currently, Tagovailoa is slated to play out the 2024 campaign on his fifth-year option. He played a full 17 regular-season games last year for the first time in his career, achieving new highs with 4,624 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Tagovailoa has reportedly missed most of Miami's team activities this offseason while negotiations on a potential contract extension continue, Alain Poupart of SI.com reports. Coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier have both vocally supported the idea of Tagovailoa remaining with the Dolphins on a long-term basis and an extension being penned this offseason; however, it sounds like until that's official, the team may not have the quarterback's full participation. That said, Tagovailoa was confirmedly a participant in part of Miami's offseason workouts back in April, with Poupart noting the team released videos of him throwing on multiple different days. There are no signs Tagovailoa would consider skipping June's mandatory minicamp, and the quarterback has downplayed concerns about contract negotiations. As things currently stand, Tagovailoa is set to play out the 2024 season under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.
Tagovailoa's top wide receiver options Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will be joined by Odell Beckham, who officially signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins on Wednesday, Miami added offensive tackle Patrick Paul in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft to help Tagovailoa stay upright, a key move following the departure of Robert Hunt to Carolina, but the team's only notable skill-position splashes were sixth-round wideout Malik Washington and fourth-round running back Jaylen Wright, both of whom are speedsters set to begin in depth roles. Adding an experienced veteran in the form of Beckham should finally provide Miami's offense with a reliable third starting wideout, something the team has lacked since coach Mike McDaniel's arrival in 2022. As Marcel Louis-Jacques notes, beyond the top tandem of Hill and Waddle no receiver has logged more than 32 catches or 417 yards in the McDaniel era. The arrival of Beckham, not to mention new tight end Jonnu Smith, promises to finally provide Tagovailoa with more reliable playmakers beyond his top two options.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that he "absolutely" wants Tagovailoa to sign a contract extension this offseason, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports. The lefty quarterback is set to play out the 2024 season under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, after leading the league in yards per attempt in 2022 (8.9) and total passing yards in 2023 (4,624). Tagovailoa hasn't quite progressed to fantasy stardom despite his success, as he doesn't offer much in the way of rushing production, missed four games in 2022 and then saw Miami running backs rush for 27 of the team's 57 offensive touchdowns in 2023. He still has a path to QB1 value -- at least on the low end -- while throwing passes to elite receiving talents in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in one of the NFL's best-designed offenses. Early reports suggest both the Dolphins and Tagovailoa expect an extension to get done this offseason.
The Dolphins had more trouble than anticipated overall with the feisty Raiders, but Tagovailoa finished the game with another impressive stat line that included his fifth 300-yard effort and sixth multi-touchdown tally of the campaign. Tagovailoa lost star running back De'Von Achane (knee) early into the rookie's return from a four-game absence and also saw Tyreek Hill exit briefly with a hand injury before returning. While the final point total was a bit underwhelming, Tagovailoa's day certainly pleased fantasy managers and sends him into a Week 12 Black Friday afternoon divisional road clash against the Jets with plenty of momentum.
Tagovailoa has been efficient for the entire season, though that disappeared against Kansas City as he managed only 5.7 yards per attempt. He remained relatively accurate, so his inefficiency ultimately came from his inability to push the ball down the field, illustrated by only one completion that went over 20 yards. Despite the slow performance, Tagovailoa did make a nice throw to Cedrick Wilson to connect for a 31-yard touchdown. The Dolphins will look to regroup on a Week 10 bye before a Week 11 matchup against the Raiders.