The Miami Dolphins’ decision to hand quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a mega-extension sparked debate when it was announced, with many critics questioning his durability and consistency. Now, with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel benching him for rookie Quinn Ewers, it’s possible that Tagovailoa has played his final game for Miami.
With that said, let’s break down Tagovailoa’s contract and the Dolphins’ options for parting ways with the struggling quarterback.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Contract and Salary in 2025
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension in July 2024. Even more significant is that $167 million was guaranteed. The contract runs through the 2028 season, but does Miami have a way to move on?
If the reported contract details are accurate, nearly every year of the deal is heavily secured aside from the final one. With an average annual salary of around $53 million, Tagovailoa’s cap hit in 2025 is $39 million, but he will earn around his annual average at about $51 million, per Spotrac.
Tagovailoa has a dead cap hit of $99.2 million next season, so the possibility of the Dolphins parting ways with him is highly unlikely.
As ESPN’s Adam Schefter pointed out, “Tagovailoa already has $54 million guaranteed to him in 2026. On March 15, $3M of his 2027 salary becomes guaranteed. Cutting him would leave $99M in dead money. Post June 1 cut would equal $67.4M in dead money in 2026, $31.8M in 2027.”
A trade involving Tagovailoa seems unlikely, as the Dolphins will likely have a hard time finding another team willing to take on his monster contract.
When he signed his massive extension, Tagovailoa became the NFL’s third-highest-paid player by average annual value, behind only Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
MORE: Is Tua Tagovailoa Dating or Married? A Look at Dolphins QB’s Personal Life
It’s possible that the Dolphins will make a coaching change this offseason and a new staff could decide to start Tagovailoa again in 2026.
Based on PFSN’s Quarterback Impact metric, Tagovailoa is the 25th-ranked QB in the league this season. He has thrown for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions this year. For his career, he has now thrown for 18,166 yards, 120 TDs, and 59 INTs.
What Is Tagovailoa’s Net Worth?
Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Tagovailoa’s net worth is $30 million. However, this figure is likely a low estimate, considering the quarterback earns $53 million annually and has also signed deals with major brands.
Over the course of his career, Tagavailoa has generated $124,510,807 in NFL contracts alone. Off the field, he is also estimated to have generated a significant amount with sponsorships from some big-name brands like Adidas, Bose, Muscle Milk, and Wingstop, just to name a few.
Off the field, Tagovailoa has also focused on giving back through the Tua Foundation, which supports youth initiatives and programs centered on health and wellness. Its inaugural fundraising event in the summer of 2021 raised $93,000 for the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch, reflecting Tagovailoa’s commitment to making a positive impact beyond football.
