During his end-of-season press conference in January, Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier expressed his desire to keep quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the team for the long haul and performing at a high standard.
Grier informed reporters on Wednesday that negotiations for a contract extension with Tagovailoa’s representatives will continue during the NFL Scouting Combine this week. However, it appears that both parties are still some distance away from reaching an agreement.
Tagovailoa is currently slated to play in the 2024 season under the fifth-year option of his contract, which was activated last offseason, well before teams were aware of the unexpected financial relief coming from a salary-cap increase this spring.
Securing Tagovailoa’s signature sooner rather than later and restructuring the contract to manage significant salary cap hits in the future could enhance the Dolphins’ competitiveness beyond simply securing playoff berths in the upcoming years.
Before committing to extending Tagovailoa’s contract beyond the next season, Grier needs to carefully consider various factors.
Despite concerns over his history of concussions, Tagovailoa is expected to continue playing after undergoing training in jiu-jitsu to minimize head injuries. Grier expressed confidence on Wednesday that the team isn’t worried about Tagovailoa’s concussion record.
In the 2023 regular season, Tagovailoa showcased promising statistics, ranking high in adjusted QBR, passer rating, and passing yards. However, he also threw a notable number of interceptions alongside his passing touchdowns.
Considering Tagovailoa’s injury history, NFL analyst Matt Verderame suggested that the Dolphins likely prefer a contract with flexibility built in. This approach might involve options for the team to mitigate risk due to potential injuries, especially given Tagovailoa’s contemplation of retirement last offseason.