The Miami Dolphins’ 2025 season was supposed to be another step forward with Tua Tagovailoa leading the offense, but instead it became a year of frustration for both the franchise and the long-time starter. Tagovailoa, selected No. 5 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and once viewed as a future franchise cornerstone, has struggled to climb back to his peak after a series of injuries and inconsistent play.
After a standout 2023 season in which he led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards, his effectiveness declined markedly in 2024 and especially in 2025, where he finished with 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Durability has also been a concern throughout his time in Miami, with concussions and other injuries forcing multiple absences over the past six seasons. Meanwhile, the Dolphins (7-10) finished third in the AFC East in 2025 and failed to make the playoffs for the second straight season.
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As Miami enters the 2026 offseason, the Dolphins have made it clear that the quarterback position is up for evaluation. On Monday, new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan addressed Tagovailoa’s status.
Per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, Sullivan told reporters that “everything is on the table, including the possibility of a trade.”
He added that Tagovailoa has not requested a trade, but the organization is evaluating all options. Per Wolfe, the Dolphins are currently in search of a new franchise quarterback.
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension in 2024, placing him among the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks. A release before June 2026 would trigger a dead cap hit approaching $99 million. That makes a trade the more realistic pathway if Miami decides to move on.
The Dolphins’ competitive ceiling with Tagovailoa has also come into focus. Despite flashes of high-level efficiency early in his career, Miami has not made a deep postseason run with him as the starter. The combination of declining production, injuries and cap pressure has forced the front office to reconsider its direction.
What is clear is that Miami is no longer operating under the assumption that Tagovailoa’s future is guaranteed.