Tua Tagovailoa has opened up about his contract situation as he enters the final year of his rookie NFL deal with the Miami Dolphins.
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The 26-year-old quarterback is tied to the Dolphins until the end of the 2024 season, which marks the conclusion of his initial five-year agreement. Following a standout season that saw him top the league in passing yards and nab his debut Pro Bowl nod, the Dolphins have entered into negotiations for a long-term extension.
Tagovailoa, who hails from Hawaii, has quashed concerns over his fitness by being ever-present in all 18 games, including the postseason, marking a standout campaign for the Dolphins. This time last year, his health was under scrutiny due to concussion issues, but now the conversation has shifted to his future earnings.
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Yet Tagovailoa told reporters at a camp he was hosting on Oahu over the weekend: “I’m not telling anyone what I’m doing this offseason. That’s what makes me special in my way. I’m a very private person, so I think that’s gonna be in-house.”
However, he did offer some insight into his contract talks. “They’ve been good,” he shared. “Right now, I’m letting my agent (Ryan Williams of Athletes First) handle that. I’m focused on my family, I’m focused on continuing to better myself, better my craft, and we’ll talk more about that when that time comes. For now, exciting times ahead, that’s for sure.”
The team echoed a similar sentiment at the NFL Scouting Combine, with general manager Chris Grier addressing the media about the talks. “Our goal is to try and get something done,” he acknowledged. Ryan Williams has been great. Tua has been great.
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Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards last season in a career-year for the Miami Dolphins ( Image:
Getty Images)
“We’ll see. There is no timeline on it. At the end of the day, you know how these deals get done. They are complicated deals, and we’re building a team through free agency as well. We’ll work through it and see if we can get something done.”
Grier added: “I think we’re hopeful. When you go through these things… these are deals that very rarely come together quickly. There are a lot of pieces and moving parts. We’ve had positive discussions so far, and we’ll keep working here throughout the offseason. I think everyone, if we can do something, would like it done before the season.
“But you’ve seen over the last few years, some of these other big deals that have been done have gone all the way into training camp, because they are complicated deals to put together with the money and stuff people are talking about.”
The GM also expressed that both he and head coach Mike McDaniel are “strong believers” in Tagovailoa and “all feel there’s still another level he can take it”. The quarterback himself mentioned a month ago that he’s not in a hurry to sign. “I don’t think there’s any pressure,” Tagovailoa remarked. “The goal is to be a Dolphin for life.”