Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel Not Worried About a Tua Tagovailoa Holdout

ORLANDO — We’re fast approaching the time when Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa actually has some leverage in his contract talks.

But will he use it?

It remains to be seen, but based on Mike McDaniel’s comments at the NFL Annual League Meeting here Monday, it doesn’t sound like the Dolphins are expecting an acrimonious negotiation.

Contract Update for Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa

The cheapest way for players under contract who feel like it’s time for a new deal to get that point across is to skip all or parts of the voluntary offseason program, which for the Dolphins begins with workouts in three weeks.

Since it’s voluntary, players can withhold their services in protest without getting fined.

The Dolphins are used to this negotiating tactic. Center Connor Williams used it just last year before returning to the team for the start of training camp.

But it would be far more disruptive to a Dolphins offense looking to take the next step for their quarterback to go missing for a couple of months than an offensive lineman.

Which is why a boycott by Tua this spring could actually have some impact on the pace and seriousness of negotiations.

And yet, McDaniel didn’t seem overly concerned that Tua will go missing this spring.

“With intentionality, I try to keep myself as head of coaching,” McDaniel said. “Contracts and contract negotiations, those things take time. You know, I do expect Tua to be in OTAs, only because, you know, my working relationship with Tua.

“And for two years, I’ve watched Tua gain some unbelievable residuals towards the season in that process,” McDaniel continued. “It’s part of the reason Tua is who he is, because he’s always learning, never staying the same, and always working on his craft.

“And I know, you know, the one thing that he likes to do now in his life besides be a kick-ass dad to [his two children] Ace and Mazey is play football with his teammates. So that’s what I expect. I don’t put too much thought beyond that.

“I understand the business, but I also understand my job with Tua is to make sure that his football is continuing to evolve and the best days are in front of them, which are both of our goals.”

KEEP READING: FOX Sports Analyst Suggest Dolphins Draft Tua Replacement in Round 1

Tagovailoa is in the final year of his rookie contract, set to make $23.2 million in base salary on the fifth-year option. Spotrac estimates Tua’s market value for an extension is six years, $303 million ($50.4 million annually), which would make him the fifth-highest player in the NFL.

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