The Miami Dolphins will begin a new era at head coach after the firing of Mike McDaniel on Thursday, and that could mean something for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s future as well.
Dolphins insider Marcel Louis-Jaques of ESPN indicated that Tagovailoa’s time is up in South Beach with this upcoming coaching transition. The former No. 5 pick has been the starting quarterback since 2020, but his injuries — and of late his play in 2025 — have taken a toll.
“Yes — especially after Tagovailoa was benched late in the season for performance issues,” Louis-Jaques wrote on Thursday. “He is in the first year of a four-year, $212.1 million extension and the team would eat nearly $100 million in dead cap if it released him this coming offseason.”
“There is an out after the 2026 season, when a post-June 1 trade or release would mean a much more palatable $34.8 million dead cap hit spread across the following two seasons, while saving the team at least $37 million in cap space,” Louis-Jaques added. “Considering Tagovailoa’s injury history and large contract, a new regime may want to select its own quarterback, but at the very least, expect Miami to add high-end veteran competition before spring practices begin.”
Who the Dolphins could see in free agency will be the big question. The Dolphins don’t have money in 2026 at the moment, with $8.42 million over the salary cap.
Tua Tagovailoa Wants a Fresh Start
GettyTua Tagovailoa’s season was left wanting.
Tagovailoa opened up on Monday about playing elsewhere when he talked with the Palm Beach Post’s Joe Schad.
“That would be dope. I would be good with it,” Tagovailoa said.
Tagovailoa finished the season on the bench and tallied just 2,660 yards passing for 20 touchdowns versus 15 interceptions. That marked his worst passer rating, 88.5, since his rookie season.
His comments notably came before McDaniel’s firing, and a new general manager and head coach will need to assess Tagovailoa’s future. Dolphins backup quarterback Quinn Ewers only posted 662 yards passing for three touchdowns versus three picks in the final four games of the season.
Things went south for Tagovailoa after a Dec. 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tagovailoa’s struggles in cold weather continued, and his passing touchdowns both came in the fourth quarter when the Steelers had full control, 28-3.
Dolphins Need a QB in the Draft
Even before the Dolphins parted with McDaniel, drafting a quarterback was already on the radar, as the team owns the No. 11 pick in the draft.
“This situation will be worth monitoring because Miami won’t be hell-bent on selecting a quarterback in the first round,” Louis-Jaques wrote on Sunday. “Obviously, the Dolphins need improved play at the position, but they could turn to a veteran such as Mac Jones (trade) or Malik Willis (free agency). The Dolphins also need to improve their pass rush, secondary, and offensive skill players — there are essentially no wrong answers for a team looking for both starting-level talent and depth.”
That pick could still go multiple directions, based on the new general manager and head coach. Either way, the new tandem will need to make a call on the quarterback position after a season where Tagovailoa struggled.
Dolphins Insider Drops Tua Tagovailoa Prediction Amid Mike McDaniel Firing