Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has been the subject of much speculation regarding his participation in the team’s offseason training program, has made a return to the Dolphins’ facility as discussions over his contract continue. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Tagovailoa is now present for the Dolphins’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs), a move that aligns with his earlier statements about intending to attend the workouts despite the ongoing contract negotiations.
Tagovailoa, the fifth overall pick in his draft class, is amidst talks for a significant contract extension following a standout 2023 season that saw him post career-high numbers and guide the Dolphins to the playoffs with an 11-6 record. This marked the first season in his professional career that Tagovailoa remained uninjured throughout, participating in all 17 games of the season.
The quarterback’s performance last season was nothing short of impressive, leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards and accounting for 29 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. Despite these personal successes, the Dolphins’ playoff run came to an abrupt halt in the wild card round against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-7 defeat to the Chiefs highlighted a challenging game for Tagovailoa, who completed only 20 of 39 pass attempts for 199 yards, threw a touchdown and an interception, and was sacked twice.
There have been rumors of at least one contract proposal made to Tagovailoa, though details remain undisclosed. It’s speculated that the offer did not reach the annual $50 million mark achieved by quarterback Jared Goff, considering Tagovailoa has yet to agree to any deal. As negotiations progress, the Dolphins and their Pro Bowl quarterback will continue working towards a resolution that secures Tagovailoa’s position as one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, reflecting his vital role in the team’s offensive scheme and future ambitions.