As news broke of Jared Goff’s lucrative extension with the Detroit Lions, attention quickly turned to the Miami Dolphins and whether General Manager Chris Grier can secure quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s signature before the season commences. Amidst rumors of discontent over the pace of contract negotiations—evidenced by Tagovailoa’s absence from most offseason activities—concerns grow that this may impact the team’s preparation for the upcoming season.
However, optimism remains that a resolution will be reached in the near future. Speaking with ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, an unnamed NFL executive expressed belief that an agreement is on the horizon, suggesting $55 million annually might be the magic number to satisfy both parties.
The pressure is on for the Dolphins to finalize this deal. After a standout 2023 season where Tagovailoa led Miami in passing yards, expectations are high, despite the team’s failure to clinch the AFC East and a disappointing exit against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round.
Adding to the anticipation for the upcoming season, the Dolphins made headlines with the acquisition of Odell Beckham Jr., bolstering their receiving corps and setting the stage for Tagovailoa to potentially lead one of the league’s most formidable offenses. Yet, as rumors swirl about the state of contract discussions, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting little progress has been made, the question of whether Tagovailoa will kick off the season with a new deal looms large.
Despite the uncertainty, there’s a palpable sense of optimism that a deal will be struck, possibly aligning with the speculated $55 million a year figure. With the clock ticking towards Week 1, the focus remains on securing Tagovailoa’s future with the team—a move seen as critical for the Dolphins’ ambitions in the fiercely competitive NFL landscape.