The Miami Dolphins are making a huge commitment to their quarterback, Tua Tagaloa. This is literally setting him up for probably the rest of his career on a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension. The large deal speaks to how confident they are that he’s their guy who leads this team into success, as $167.1 million in guaranteed money reaches him.
Breaking Down the Deal
For a couple of reasons, the deal was monumental: it’s the second-biggest four-year contract signed in league history, only behind the deals of Jordan Love and Joe Burrow. It carries an average annual salary of $53.1 million, falling just shy of the $55 million per year that Burrow and Lawrence receive. The deal has performance-based incentives that can elevate Tua’s annual take to $55.35 million, increasing the total potential value to $221.4 million.
A Long-Term Contract
The latest deal by Tagovailoa will keep him with the Dolphins through the 2028 season. It is a calculated gamble by the Dolphins in light of the rollercoaster Tua has navigated during his past years because of injuries. Despite these setbacks, his potential showed in leading the NFL in passing yards last season and starting every game in 2023. This is a vote of confidence in his health and ability to perform at a high level, as evidenced by the team’s investment.
The Injury Concerns
The health of Tua has been a hot topic for quite some time. Concussions have caused him to miss numerous games in recent years, with a recent scare this year keeping him on the sidelines for evaluation. If Tua were to retire due to injury, then the Dolphins would have a major financial decision on their hands. They could pay the full $212.4 million contract or a reduced amount due to an injury-related departure. The total could vary, potentially reaching up to $167 million, depending on the classification.
Contract Details and Comparisons
The four years in Tagovailoa’s contract are somewhat above average when comparing longer deals elsewhere in the NFL. Most high-profile quarterbacks in recent times have signed five- and ten-year deals. With this shorter length, there is the possibility for Tagovailoa to try negotiating another lucrative deal sooner if his performances remain impressive.
In terms of contract rankings, this puts Tua as one of the upper-tier quarterbacks around the NFL. In terms of annual salary and total guaranteed money, he is not quite at the top of the highest-paid list, but his deal is very comparable to other young quarterbacks coming through the ranks, like Jordan Love, which somewhat reflects the market’s valuation of emerging talent.
The Future of the Dolphins
The deal is part of the Dolphins’ bigger plan to start building around their core. In addition to locking up Tagovailoa, they have extensions for star wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, as well as cornerback Jalen Ramsey. These moves will provide a stable core that will compete in the coming seasons.
Now that the contract issue is resolved, the Dolphins can maximize their season. They’ll need a strong offense—which has shown promise in the first months—to justify their quarterback investment.
Final Thoughts
In every possible way, the Miami Dolphins new deal for Tua Tagaloe is a statement in every possible way by the Miami Dolphins. But it also paves the way for what could be a very bright future, as it demonstrates belief in his talent and potential. If Tagaloe can stay healthy and continue to develop under coach Mike McDaniel, this gamble by the Dolphins should pay off and make this one of those defining moments in recent team history.Tagovailoa and the Dolphins will be all eyes as this big bet begins with the 2024 season, hoping to profit.
