One analyst thinks the Miami Dolphins will make a “reasonable” decision about quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the near future.
Although the quarterback just finished a season in which he set league records for passing yards and was selected to the Pro Bowl, concerns about his durability and capacity to lead the club to the next level still exist.
General manager Chris Grier stated that the organization intends to keep Tagovailoa in Miami “for the long term,” although Adam H. Beasley of Pro Football Network projected that the team would wait to offer him a huge contract similar to the one Joe Burrow received.
Grieg stated that the team has been in communication with Tagovailoa’s agent on a contract extension during his news conference that concluded the season. Before the club collapsed late in the season, losing three of their final five games and blowing a three-game lead in the division before missing out on the wild card, the quarterback, who just finished his fourth NFL season, garnered some early MVP chatter this year.
The Miami Dolphins are interested in getting a long-term deal done with Tua Tagovailoa
The Dolphins are planning to go forward with Tua as their QB for the future. pic.twitter.com/WqawpNzxFm
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) January 19, 2024
Beasley projected that the Dolphins would be in the driver’s seat in the discussions since they have a fifth-year option and the potential for two franchise tags, which would allow them to retain Tagovailoa’s rights for a further three years at a cost of $135 million.
Beasley wrote that the Dolphins would stay away from a deal the size of Burrow’s five-year, $275 million extension, giving Tagovailoa a smaller but still significant commitment.
With defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, linemen Connor Williams and Robert Hunt, and other key players set to hit free agency this offseason, the Dolphins will have more difficult decisions to make about how best to use their money.
After a positive talk with Wilkins, Grier expressed optimism that the team will be able to retain some of its core players for the upcoming year.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, “Our goal is to keep as many good players here as we can.”
During his season-ending news conference, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel discussed Tagovailoa’s play and praised his development while expressing his want to see more from the 25-year-old quarterback.