The Miami Dolphins have made multiple indications that they will not be returning quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, for the coming season.
First, the Dolphins have cleaned house at both the general manager and head coach spots, hiring former Green Bay Packers‘ Vice President of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan, and Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Secondly, Tagovailoa indicated himself that he would like to have a “fresh start” this coming season, saying, “That would be dope” and, “I would be good with it” when asked about how he would feel about said possibility in 2026.
And finally, in naming the team’s cornerstone players that the franchise intends to build upon in the coming years, Tua was not named as one – despite being the highest paid player on the roster and the proverbial figurehead of the franchise, at least at this moment in time – by the new GM, Sullivan.
So it tracks that there is a fairly robust chance that the Dolphins will be operating with a new quarterback under center in 2026.
Dolphins Could Look To Green Bay Alum For QB Role
Some people are connecting the dots with regards to the Green Bay connection in positing that Miami and Sullivan may look to add current Packers backup quarterback, Malik Willis, who is set for a big pay day on the open market after impressing when called into action over the past two seasons as Jordan Love’s number two.
However, in this proposal, the Dolphins go a slightly different direction and hire an older, veteran former Packers quarterback – four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer, Aaron Rodgers.
Willis is younger, and at this point in his career is probably the more valuable commodity. However, Sullivan and co. will be competing against many other NFL franchises that will also be looking for a new quarterback.
Division rivals, the Jets, in addition to the Steelers, Browns and potentially surprise teams like the Cardinals – could look to find their newest signal caller on the open market in what is a notoriously weak quarterback draft class.
Aaron Rodgers An Excellent Short-Term Option For Miami
In the very real scenario that Willis decides on another destination, the Dolphins may be left looking for their next guy with not a lot of options. Rodgers could well come in as an experienced, cool-headed option to serve as the in-between quarterback as Miami looks to find their future franchise QB in the coming years.
The Packers legend showed in 2025 that he can still play at a consistently high level, even in an offense that was almost void of legitimate offensive weapons. With an offense that has the likes of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane, Rodgers could do some serious damage.
Like Willis, Rodgers also has that connection with Sullivan, as the Dolphins general manager was present in Green Bay during the Super Bowl champion’s entire stint in the Midwest, although Rodgers has not crossed paths with new head coach, Hafley.
And, given his past with the Jets, it sure would not hurt that he gets to play his former employers twice a year.
It is not clear whether Rodgers will return once again in 2026, and reports have surfaced that if he does it will not be with Pittsburgh. But if he is open to playing this coming year, Miami is certainly a destination to look out for.
Dolphins Proposal Lands Them Ex-MVP Tua Tagovailoa Replacement