In an era where the discrete stats of quarterbacks increasingly delineate their pay grades, Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa emerges as a prime candidate for a top-tier contract, potentially shaping his upcoming negotiation leverage. With the 2023 season reflecting a stellar performance, Tagovailoa’s pitch for a substantial raise could very well see him leading the quarterback payroll hierarchy.
Tagovailoa, on the brink of concluding the option year under his initial 2020 rookie contract, finds himself amidst discussions with the Dolphins’ executives Chris Grier and Brandon Shore. The discourse centers around a lucrative contract extension, one that Tagovailoa envisions aligning with the salaries of the league’s elite quarterbacks.
This aspiration gains grounding against recent developments, notably the Jacksonville Jaguars’ monumental $275 million contract commitment to Trevor Lawrence. This deal, fortified with just over $200 million in guarantees, secures Lawrence an average annual payout of $55 million over the coming five years, once effective. Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals mirrors this average annual value, although Lawrence’s higher guarantee stakes position his deal a notch above.
The pertinent question looms: How lucrative will Tagovailoa’s haul from the Dolphins be?
Given Tagovailoa’s commanding 2023 season performance – leading with 4,624 passing yards, achieving a touchdown to interception ratio better than 2-to-1, steering the Dolphins to consecutive playoff berths, and notching the highest passer rating among his peers at 101.1 – his bid to topple the quarterback remuneration hierarchy is well-founded. Moreover, Tagovailoa’s resilience and consistency, especially highlighted by his minimal sacks compared to peers amidst a fluctuating offensive line, amplify his case.
Contrastingly, Lawrence’s susceptibility to injuries, alongside a mediocre touchdown to interception ratio during a playoff-crucial stretch, and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ failure to capitalize on their 2022 division win elucidate a stark performance differential. Even with competition from Jared Goff, who trailed slightly in total yards but clinched an extra touchdown and led the Lions to an NFC Championship Game, Tagovailoa’s stats underscore a compelling proposition for a record-setting deal.
Speculations suggest that Tagovailoa’s potential contract could eclipse existing benchmarks, possibly reaching around $60 million annually with an aggregate value hovering near $300 million, including over $250 million in secured funds. This would unequivocally position him as the highest-paid quarterback, justified by his on-field outputs.
As the Dolphins deliberate on Tagovailoa’s worth, the overarching sentiment leans towards avoiding the contentious route treaded by the Dallas Cowboys with Dak Prescott. With Prescott poised for a pivotal 2024 season under intensifying scrutiny and an uncertain future beyond, Miami aims to secure their star quarterback with a deal reflective of his proven caliber, ensuring his continuity under rewarding terms.