MIAMI GARDENS – Mike McDaniel was asked if the Miami Dolphins organization is hedging on a commitment to Tua Tagovailoa in contract negotiations.
“I think in terms of hedging, I know as an organization we’ve prioritized it by entering in negotiations a long time ago,” McDaniel said Wednesday.
It was the first day of training camp and it surely would have been better if Tua had attempted more than zero passes in 11-on-11 competition.
The Dolphins and Tua are playing nice as Tua and his agency and the Dolphins all allow Tua to express his discontent with the situation by sitting out some drills.
We understand both sides here.
Tua Tagovailoa and Miami Dolphins have good contract points
Tua has led the NFL in passing yards and passer rating. And he stayed healthy for the 2023 season.
But from the Dolphins’ perspective, guaranteed money is a concern because of Tua’s lengthy injury history, and that he’s conceded he once considered retiring following concussions.
Jul 24, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the football during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Tua is an excellent fit to operate McDaniel’s offense.
Tua surely prefers Miami to say, somewhere with state taxes and the occasional blizzard.
He’s got the perfect coach for him and the perfect weapons in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
There is no reason this shouldn’t be worked out before the 2024 season kicks off in 46 days.
Franchise tagging Tua Tagovailoa in 2025 not great option
The Dolphins could play is safe and potentially tag Tua in 2025, though that wouldn’t leave their quarterback in a great space mentally and emotionally in 2024.
Surely there’s a happy landing place for all involved.
Let’s take a look at which current quarterback contract seem to be reasonable comps.
Let’s take a look at where we think Tua and the Dolphins could safely land – together.
Highest-paid NFL quarterbacks
Trevor Lawrence: $55 million a season, 5 years, $275 million total, 52 percent guaranteed at sign, 73 percent practical guarantee.
Joe Burrow: $55 million a season, 5 years, $275 million, 53 percent guaranteed at sign, 80 percent practical guarantee.
Jared Goff: $53 million a season, 4 years, $212 million, 54 percent guaranteed at sign, 80 percent practical guarantee.
Justin Herbert: $52.5 million a season, 5 years, $262.5 million, 51 percent guaranteed at sign, 83 percent practical guarantee.
Lamar Jackson: $52 million a season, 5 years, $262 million, 52 percent guaranteed at sign, 71 percent practical guarantee.
Jalen Hurts: $51 million a season, 5 years, $255 million, 43 percent guaranteed at sign, 70 percent practical guarantee.
To clarify here, money guaranteed at sign is money that player will get, no matter what.
Money practically guaranteed at sign is money the player is likely to earn, if not let go sooner than expected.
We can guess the Dolphins would like to add a decent portion of the guarantees in the form of, say, roster bonuses, which Tua would only earn if on a roster before, for example, future seasons.
There’s no reason Miami and Tua can’t agree on a 5-year deal.
There’s no reason Miami and Tua can’t agree on a deal between $51 and $55 million a season.
It probably comes down to guarantee percentages.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) stands by Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel at the Miami bench in the second half of the game between host Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, November 27, 2022, in Miami Gardens, FL. Final score, Miami Dolphins, 30, Houston Texans, 15.
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Burrow, Goff and Herbert have guarantee percentages that are probably close to what Tua’s camp at Athletes First would like.
Lawrence, Jackson and Hurts have some more potential guarantee flexibility, which the Dolphins would probably like.
These sides need each other, in my opinion.
Tua surely wants the security of guaranteed monies.
The Dolphins are willing to do so, but are trying to go only so far.
So, considering the above contracts – how about this proposal:
Tua Tagovailoa
5 years
$53 million a season
$265 million total
51 percent guaranteed at sign
76 percent practical guarantee
This seems fair.
What say you, Dolphins and Tua?