Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a breakout season in 2022, but the team might trade him anyway. According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, the Dolphins will “explore all options” with their quarterback, which includes the possibility of sending him to a new organization. Miami is in win-now mode with the elite wide receiver duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and 82-year-old owner Stephen Ross is not getting any younger. Even with his injury concerns, quarterback-needy teams would love to acquire Tagovailoa, but these five teams make the most sense.
I’m told multiple people have been made aware within the #Dolphins organization that the team will explore all options at quarterback, per league source–this as the decision continues to linger on a long-term deal and the 5th-year option on Tua Tagovailoa. pic.twitter.com/c6Os0hdL7h
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 3, 2023
Top 5 Tua Tagovailoa Trade Destinations, Ranked
1. New Orleans Saints
It’s no secret that the New Orleans Saints need a new quarterback. Right now, that quarterback appears to be Derek Carr, as they are the frontrunners for securing his services. However, from the outside looking in, Carr doesn’t make much sense for this team. The Saints are not a Derek Carr-level quarterback away from Super Bowl contention, and considering their financial situation, the team is better off trying to get younger and build their core for the future.
Tagovailoa may or may not be a franchise quarterback, but he’s better than any quarterback prospect likely to be on the board when the Saints are on the clock in the 2023 NFL Draft. Trading for Tua Tagovailoa gives the Saints a year to evaluate the Alabama product and see if he can be a franchise quarterback. If he is, then New Orleans has their quarterback of the future. If he’s not, then the Saints look for the next guy when Tagovailoa’s contract expires at the end of the 2023 season.
2. Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders find themselves in an unfortunate situation. At 8-8-1, they weren’t good enough to make the playoffs, but they were too good to secure a top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Right now, it appears as though the team will enter the season with Sam Howell and a free agent quarterback competing for the starting job. However, if their public opinion of Howell is just a smokescreen, then they could easily go after Tagovailoa.
We know that Tagovailoa can play well when given two elite wide receivers, and Washington actually has some decent playmakers. Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson are not Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but McLaurin is a top-10 receiver and Dotson showed off plenty of promise as a rookie. Add in Curtis Samuel as one of the best WR3’s in the league, and Tagovailoa should be able to succeed with this supporting cast.
3. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers hold the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which is usually a good thing for a quarterback-needy team. However, going off consensus rankings, there are only four quarterbacks worthy of a top-10 selection, and the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons all have better picks than Carolina. One of these five teams is going to be left at the altar, and unless the Panthers trade up, it’s going to be Carolina. Instead of a draft trade for an unproven commodity, perhaps Carolina decides to go after the more proven Tua Tagovailoa.
4. Green Bay Packers
Tua Tagovailoa for Aaron Rodgers – who says no? Well, probably the Packers. Based on everything we’ve heard this offseason, the Packers believe in Jordan Love, and they want to see what they have in the former first-round pick. However, if this is a smokescreen, this trade makes all the sense in the world. It’s clear that Rodgers is Miami’s preferred quarterback, and Tagovailoa has the potential to be some team’s next answer under center.
5. New York Jets
If the New York Jets did not play in the AFC East, they’d be a lot higher on this list. After going 7-10 with the underwhelming trio of Zach Wilson, Mike White, and Joe Flacco, the team is clearly a quarterback away from contention. Tagovailoa may not be a superstar, but he’s clearly better than Wilson and can probably take this team to the playoffs. So, why would the Dolphins ever agree to this trade unless they believe Tua Tagovailoa simply cannot play?
Main Photo: Sam Navarro – USA Today Sports
