Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been the guy in Miami Gardens, Florida. 1,096 completed passes, 32-19 record as a starter, and all while battling multiple head injuries that have become more life-threatening per game. A couple of Jiu-Jitsu classes and a 4,624 passing yards season later, the NFL’s 2024 passing yards leader is due for a franchise-high extension after a career-high season.
Despite the individual resume, Miami is still hesitant to give its 2020 top-5 draft choice the extension he desires. Tua rejected an offer made by the Dolphins prior to minicamp, but rejected it, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on SportsCenter May 19. The details of the contract offered are unknown.
Tua, Dolphins Still Can’t Agree to Extension Toward Training Camp
The Buzz Around Minicamp
Due to his ongoing contract negotiations, Tua hasn’t participated in all of Miami’s summer and spring camp practices. However, he was present at mandatory minicamp and was active throughout some portions of the three-day camp. Minicamp, which started June 4 and ended June 6, had 100% participation, said head coach Mike McDaniels.
The two-year head coach said he’ll leave contract negotiations to front-office employees. At this moment, he can only control what he can do for Tua on the field and what he can control as a coach. McDaniels has no say on the contract negotiations.
“You know, I would have an ulcer and a panic attack if I tried to forecast anything that comes to my plate on a day-to-day basis,” McDaniels said. “I haven’t extrapolated in that way. What we’re focused on is communicating with each other. The knowns are that Tua’s representation and our front office are negotiating a contract.”
Tua immediately caught the attention of just about everybody at minicamp with not only his play, but with a slimmer look on the field. The Samoan quarterback claimed to have lost 10-15 pounds in the offseason to be more agile. McDaniels at the end of the 2023 season said he wanted Tua to work more on extending plays with his feet.
The new look Tua was a side discussion break away from his contract negotiations that first day of minicamp. Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both were impressed with their quarterback’s progress this offseason and still needed to get used to a “skinny Tua.”
“I miss chubby Tua man, I ain’t gonna lie” Waddle said. “I didn’t like it when I seen it… I’m loving it though. [Tua’s] looking good, feeling good. Got to throw with him a lot this offseason so he’s looking good.”
Tua’s Participation in Minicamp
The Pro Bowler participated within his depths in minicamp. Tua worked with the team for seven-on-seven work but sat out for 11-on-11 on his own accord. However, his play throughout the seven-on-seven portion of the practice was enough to remind people of why he is the first-string quarterback.
Tua started with a couple of throws from the 7-yard line to open a strong series. From that moment on, the gas was burning off his left hand and never turned off. Tua dissected Miami’s defense. He threw to running back De’Von Achane for two touchdowns, including one 20 yards downfield between two defenders, and connected with undrafted rookie tight end Tanner Connor for two scores off short passes.
Tua painted the end zone throughout the workout. The 6-foot-1-inch manager under center caught Waddle in stride on a deep-ball dime in the corner of the end zone and lobbed a perfect pass to wide receiver River Cracraft in the same area a few plays later. Tua continued to show good play throughout the minicamp, despite not working in all of the Dolphins team drills.
Tua’s Thoughts on Negotiations
Tua acknowledged how other quarterbacks in similar positions around the league got paid, but isn’t concerned about it. His representation and the organization are focused on trying to move toward an extension that works perfectly for both sides, he said. Tua believes there has been a lot of progress.
“The market is the market,” Tua said. “If we didn’t have a market, then none of that would matter. It would be just an organizational thing. Didn’t matter if that guy got paid that because it’s up to the organization. That’s what I would say, the market is the market.”
The 26-year-old quarterback’s current contract is in its fifth, and final, year. Brought back on a team option agreement, Tua will earn a base salary of a little over $23 million for the 2024 season. It is the last year of his original four-year, $30.28 million rookie contract that included a $19.6 million signing bonus.
Tua is confident that a deal will get done before the start of training camp. While at minicamp, he didn’t define his current feelings toward contract negotiations as frustrated, but ‘antsy’ in a way, he said. Tua isn’t concerned about the contract talks going beyond training camp.
Recent NFL Moves Similar to Tua’s Potential Extension
A quarterback in a similar situation to Tua this offseason was Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The 24-year-old franchise player was in contract extension talks with his respective team as he headed toward the last few years of his rookie contract. Lawrence threw 58 touchdowns, 11,770 yards and already has a playoff win in his short three-year career.
The Jaguars were able to make an agreement with their 2021 NFL Draft first overall choice on a five-year, $275 million contract extension, the team announced June 14. Lawrence’s deal tied Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow as the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history. The contract also puts the Tennessee native quarterback in an exclusive club as the fourth quarterback to make a guaranteed $200 million in a single contract in league history. The three others — Burrow, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, and Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson — all signed their deals within the past two years.
Lawrence’s contract will keep the Pro Bowler in Jacksonville through 2030 and pay him $55 million annually throughout the last five years of his deal. He will receive a signing bonus of $37.5 million as well, according to Spotrac.
Possible Reasons for Miami’s Hesitation
Lawrence’s extension and those before him show a trend around the NFL that Tua can use for his advantage. However, the only thing that separates him from his quarterback colleagues is that he doesn’t have a playoff win. Miami hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2000 AFC Wild Card. Dolphins quarterback Jay Fielder defeated Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning in only his third NFL season.
Tua has yet to win the AFC East as well on top of a playoff game. The Hawaiian native was close last season, but a 21-14 home-field loss to the Buffalo Bills Jan. 7 ultimately decided the division. Miami was a game short of hosting a playoff game in Hard Rock Stadium and Tua played in his first-ever postseason game in Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card round on Jan. 13. The Dolphins quarterback struggled in the tundra-like conditions and ended his season with a 26-7 loss.
Tua’s lack of postseason success through four seasons can be a reason why the Dolphins haven’t offered an historic deal yet. Despite this, both parties agree that they want to extend Tua to a deal. The question is when, how much, and if they can do it before the start of the 2024 season. Miami’s veterans report to training camp on July 23.
Main Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
