The ongoing contract talks between quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins seem to be hitting a snag, with the latest developments pointing to a potential standoff between the parties. According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, appearing on “NFL Live,” the negotiations are far from reaching a consensus, with the Dolphins reportedly hesitant to match the contractual benchmarks set by Jared Goff’s deal with the Detroit Lions or Trevor Lawrence’s recent extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In a recent tweet from DolphinsTalk.com, Darlington was quoted expressing his diminishing optimism about a swift conclusion to the talks, highlighting that the Dolphins are currently not prepared to offer a “market contract.” “At this point, based on my conversations, they are not in the Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence ballpark,” Darlington elaborated, suggesting a considerable gap between Tagovailoa’s expectations and the deal the Dolphins are willing to put on the table.
Despite the Dolphins publicly stating their intention to secure Tagovailoa ahead of the new season, their reluctance to offer market value could potentially derail negotiations. Darlington, who previously maintained a hopeful stance on the deal’s completion, admitted a shift in his perspective following these developments. He shared Tagovailoa’s earlier sentiments on the situation, quoting, “The market is the market,” a comment made by the quarterback as contract talks seemed to falter.
The phrase “The market is the market” has gained prominence in this saga, first emerging during the team’s mandatory minicamp, where Tagovailoa made it clear that market dynamics play a crucial role in contract negotiations, emphasizing the value established by recent quarterback deals.
Darlington also speculated on a looming complication: the potential extension of Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Should Love secure a deal akin to Goff’s before Tagovailoa and the Dolphins finalize their agreement, it could further complicate the negotiations, amplifying the disparities in valuation between the player and the organization.
Despite the current impasse, Darlington acknowledged the unpredictable nature of contract negotiations, reminding that outcomes can swiftly change. The coming days will undoubtedly be critical, as both sides continue to navigate through these complex discussions with the start of the season looming on the horizon.