All signs point to the Miami Dolphins gearing up for a Super Bowl push, even after a disappointing 2024 season that saw them finish with an 8-9 record.
The blame for the underwhelming season doesn’t land squarely on one player or coach, but quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can’t be completely excused. Limited to just 11 games due to injury, his absence was understandable given his concerning concussion history. Still, when he did play, the Pro Bowler delivered more average performances than elite.
Tagovailoa needs to shine when available if the Dolphins are truly determined to contend in the coming years; otherwise, he could be replaced.
Would the Miami Dolphins Swap Tua Tagovailoa for Another Star QB?
Organizations rarely swap franchise quarterbacks in the NFL. In contrast, the NBA is notorious for blockbuster trades that see multiple star players change teams.
This prompted CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin to devise a few shocking NBA-style trades for the NFL, including a deal he predicts could occur between the Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons.
The full proposed details of the move are as follows:
- 49ers receive:Â Kirk Cousins, 2026 second-round pick (Dolphins), 2026 third-round pick (Saints)
- Dolphins receive: Brock Purdy
- Saints receive: Tua Tagovailoa
- Falcons receive: Matt Hennessy, 2026 fifth-round pick (Saints)
“Miami, meanwhile, might embrace a more dynamic signal-caller for Mike McDaniel’s timing-based offense, while sending Tagovailoa to another former left-handed quarterback in Kellen Moore, whose Saints are sorely inexperienced under center,” Benjamin wrote.
“Even considering Tua’s injury history, you can bet veterans like Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, and Brandin Cooks might prefer a proven passer as Moore installs his offense.”
The Falcons play by far the smallest role in this trade, but trading an expensive backup quarterback (Cousins) for a center (Hennessy) and a late-round pick might be selling low on the passer.
It’s easiest to justify why the Saints agree to this. Their QB room is quite weak and even more inexperienced after Derek Carr’s retirement, which Tagovailoa would solve. He is yet to have a losing record as a starter and is entering the sixth season of his career. Not to mention, they’re only giving up a few picks for the 27-year-old.
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Miami and San Francisco, on the other hand, would likely avoid this shake-up at all costs. The Dolphins are replacing one quarterback who is accustomed to playing with superstar weapons with another.
Purdy has overcome absurd circumstances and odds, but has yet to prove that he is the key reason for the 49ers’ success rather than Kyle Shanahan’s elaborate schemes and the team’s masterfully constructed offense.
Look at that route by Kittle. Short corner post. Shanahan schemed this up KNOWING the defense has been practicing this flow 7 fake with routes that break to the sideline/pylon. Comes back with the in breaker. Money call, money execution by the guys. pic.twitter.com/5hyriB5tIw
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) October 9, 2023
Purdy inked a five-year, $265 million contract this offseason, which would place him among the top five highest-paid at the position if it reaches full value. Trading him wouldn’t destroy San Francisco’s cap space, but dealing a passer months into such an extension is unheard of.
The 49ers have no motivation to deal Purdy for an aging, benched Cousins, regardless of his ties to Shanahan. The front office signed him to a huge deal as previously mentioned, proving their belief in him to lead a Super Bowl-contending team.
It’s fun to imagine how player-for-player blockbusters would look in the NFL, but these don’t happen for good reason.
