At the Miami Dolphins’ latest minicamp, a forthright Tua Tagovailoa offered succinct comments to the press on his ongoing contract discussions, encapsulating the situation by stating, “the market is the market.”
This comment gains weight in the wake of Trevor Lawrence’s monumental $275 million deal with Jacksonville. Despite Lawrence’s relatively average statistical performance when compared to Tagovailoa, this contract, averaging $55 million annually, aligns him with Bengals’ Joe Burrow as the highest-paid player in terms of annual average value.
This upscale in the market poses a challenge for the Dolphins and their general manager, Chris Grier.
It’s conceivable that Tagovailoa, having shown exceptional performance under coach Mike McDaniel’s leadership following Brian Flores, might soon eclipse Lawrence’s earnings to become the league’s top earner.
Lawrence’s staggering contract includes $200 million guaranteed, with $142 million fully guaranteed upon signing. Given these figures, the argument for Tagovailoa’s value only strengthens.
Comparatively, the Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff signed an extension earlier this offseason averaging $53 million a year. Yet neither Goff’s journey to the NFC title game nor Lawrence’s record stands out against Tagovailoa’s impact on the field, making a strong case for Tagovailoa’s superior valuation.
With the negotiations underway, Tagovailoa seems poised for a substantial offer, potentially surpassing both Goff and Lawrence. NFL insider Mike Garafolo suggests this is Tagovailoa’s opportunity to leverage his proven track record for a better deal, intimating that “if Lawrence is worth that kind of money, then Tua is certainly worth more.”
This negotiation comes in light of reports earlier in the offseason of the Dolphins proposing a contract averaging $50-55 million per year. With Lawrence’s benchmark, Tagovailoa’s camp could now be eyeing a five-year extension worth over $60 million annually.
Considering the parallel careers of Lawrence and Tagovailoa, it’s clear Tagovailoa has the edge. Last season, he led the league in numerous passing categories and has guided the Dolphins to consecutive playoff appearances, a feat Lawrence hasn’t matched.
Moreover, Tagovailoa’s comparison with Justin Herbert, who signed an extension worth $52.5 million per season, further underscores his argument. Tagovailoa’s achievements, including playoff appearances and superior statistical output, starkly contrast with Herbert’s less distinguished career.
This unfolding scenario sets the stage for a pivotal moment in Tagovailoa’s career, as he seeks recognition and remuneration fitting his caliber and contributions to the Dolphins.