Tua Tagovailoa is ready to leave the Miami Dolphins. The quarterback did not hide his wish when speaking to reporters on Monday, one day after the Dolphins’ 2025 season ended. Tagovailoa had a rocky year, and the Dolphins missed the playoffs once again, finishing 7-10.
Tua Tagovailoa Ready To Leave Miami Dolphins, Brace For A ‘Fresh Start’
Tagovailoa did not have the chance to finish the year on a strong note. He was benched for the final three games of the season, in a clear sign of a broken relationship between him and head coach Mike McDaniel, who’s expected to remain in Miami. For the quarterback, his time with the franchise has all but ended.
The Monday after the season ends is a day when reporters can speak to players for the final time. The Dolphins were distracted from the moment the 2024 season ended, when superstar receiver Tyreek Hill announced he would leave the team.
Tagovailoa was asked whether he was ready for a “fresh start” after being benched for the final games of the season. He left no doubt about his feelings, saying that he “would be good with it.”
Asked if he is hoping for a “fresh start,” Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa said, “That would be dope. I would be good with it.”
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 5, 2026
Tagovailoa ended the year with 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He threw the highest number of interceptions in his career, despite not playing a full season. Injuries seem to have caught up with him, as he registered his lowest number of passing yards since 2021.
Our PFSN QB Impact Metric also did not like his performances in 2025. He was ranked as the No. 27 quarterback for the year with a 72.2 Impact Score; this was his lowest number since his rookie year, and he had never finished outside the top 20 since his initial season.
Quinn Ewers took over as Miami’s starter, leading the team in an upset victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17. However, Ewers is not expected to compete for the Dolphins’ franchise quarterback job. He had 622 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions in three games.
Tagovailoa holds a cap hit of $56.4 million in the 2026 season. The Dolphins can’t release him outright, as doing so would incur a dead cap charge of $99.2 million for the 2026 season. They are likely to pursue a trade, which would result in a dead cap of $45.2 million.
