The Miami Dolphins are approaching a defining decision at quarterback as the new league year nears. Internal conversations have already taken place, and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan suggested that clarity is coming soon on Tua Tagovailoa’s future.
Jon-Eric Sullivan Addresses Tua Tagovailoa’s Future and Quarterback Competition
The Dolphins finished 7–10 and missed the playoffs. With the new league year approaching on March 11, Sullivan said a decision on Tagovailoa is nearing. The 27-year-old QB started 14 games in 2025 before being benched for the final three. At a fan event, Sullivan revealed he recently met with Tagovailoa and spoke candidly about where things stand.
“Tua was in my office the other day, if I’m being perfectly frank,” Sullivan said. “We had a great conversation. Tua has been a very good player in this league. He’s done a lot of really good things for the Miami Dolphins. You guys should be proud to have him and having had him.”
Sullivan alluded that no final determination has been made. “I don’t know what the future holds right now, and I told Tua that. We’re working through some things,” he said. “What I can tell you is that we’re gonna infuse competition into that room, whether Tua is part of the room, whether he’s not part of the room.”
He added that Tagovailoa will be informed before any public announcement and that the team is “getting close to a decision.”
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Tagovailoa threw 20 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions in 2025. He ranked 27th in PFSN’s QB Impact Metric. The Dolphins’ offense ranked 19th OFFi. Two seasons earlier, under then-head coach Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards, a stretch that played a significant role in the Dolphins signing him to a four-year, $212.4 million contract that included $167.17 million in guaranteed money.
McDaniel was dismissed after the 2025 season. He later signed with the Chargers to be their offensive coordinator. His departure removed the coach responsible for Tagovailoa’s statistical peak. Tagovailoa’s contract complicates any potential move. He carries a projected 2026 cap hit of more than $56 million.
Releasing him would trigger roughly $99 million in dead money. A trade remains possible, though the Dolphins would likely need to absorb part of the guaranteed salary to complete a deal. Sullivan confirmed the Dolphins will evaluate quarterbacks in the upcoming draft and in future drafts as part of a broader roster strategy.
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With new leadership in place, the Dolphins are weighing their options at the most important position in sports. The decision on Tagovailoa will influence the franchise’s cap flexibility and its offensive direction heading into 2026.
