The new general manager of the Miami Dolphins, Jon-Eric Sullivan, released a statement on Monday morning confirming that the organization will be designating its star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, as a post-June 1 release. This marks the end of a six-year journey for the 28-year-old that first began back in the spring of 2020, when the Dolphins selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Tagovailoa will now become one of the more sought-after quarterbacks of this free agency period, but before he turns his attention towards finding his next employer, he first made sure to deliver a heartfelt message to Miami's fan base.
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Shortly after Sullivan's statement was made publicly available, Tagovailoa took to Instagram to share both a highlight reel and a lengthy caption, which began with him thanking both the franchise and its fans for "six unforgettable years."
"From the moment I arrived, you believed in me, supported me, and embraced my family as your own," he wrote. "Wearing this jersey and representing this city has been one of the greatest joys of my life."
Taking the time to dedicate a paragraph to thanking everyone from his former teammates and coaches, to the front office and fans themselves, he did his best to make sure that he didn't forget anyone in his official goodbye.
"From my first start I had, to the first touchdown I threw I’m grateful for all of it," he added in the comment section. "As I prepare for the next chapter, I move forward with gratitude, faith, and memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime."
For better or worse, Tagovailoa's time with the Dolphins will conclude with him having just one playoff appearance throughout his six-year stint. Miami was unable to produce a divisional title with him despite the fact that he managed to finish top 10 in MVP voting in 2022 and led the league in passing yards in 2023.
