Overview
- NFL Network reporters say Miami’s new regime is expected to part with Tagovailoa in 2026, with a decision targeted before the March 11 league year.
- ESPN reports the Dolphins are prepared to pay down part of Tagovailoa’s deal to help facilitate a trade, though teams still face significant cost hurdles.
- Cutting Tagovailoa would create roughly $99 million in dead money, while a pre–June 1 trade would add about $45.2 million in dead cap; $54 million is fully guaranteed for 2026 with another $3 million vesting in mid‑March.
- Tagovailoa was benched late in 2025 after a down season (about 2,660 yards, 20 TDs, 15 INTs) and has publicly entertained a fresh start.
- Arizona is also exploring a Kyler Murray trade per ESPN, and both the Dolphins and Cardinals are viewed by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler as potential Malik Willis suitors if they resolve their incumbent QB contracts.