Tua Tagovailoa Earned Each Penny of $212 Million Extension
Dec 3, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) drops again to move in opposition to the Washington Commanders throughout the first half at FedExField. credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports activities On Friday afternoon, the Miami Dolphins labored out a deal to increase Tua Tagovailoa.
It’s a four-year contract extension that retains Tagovailoa with the Dolphins by way of the 2029–30 season. He’ll be paid $212 million, which is sweet for over $53 million yearly. $167 million of that’s assured.
This deal makes Tagovailoa the richest participant in Dolphins historical past, and he deserves each single penny.
In an inflated quarterback market headlined by Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence, Tagovailoa turns into the third highest-paid QB within the NFL based mostly on common wage per yr.
Equally to Burrow and Lawrence, Tagovailoa has introduced construction and consistency to Miami’s quarterback state of affairs, saving them from the times of Ryan Tannehill and Josh Rosen.
Tagovailoa must get the job accomplished later within the season, and within the NFL Playoffs, there’s no query about that. He’s 0-1 within the playoffs after an unsightly loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs final yr.
However based mostly on promise alone, the pairing of Tagovailoa with offensive guru Mike McDaniel has labored. Tagovailoa has gotten higher each season for the reason that Dolphins chosen him fifth total within the 2020 NFL Draft.
He’s dealt along with his justifiable share of accidents, however performed all 17 video games in 2023 and seemed like an MVP candidate whereas doing so. So long as Tagovailoa stays wholesome, there’s no purpose to doubt his potential to quarterback the Dolphins to the place they wish to go, particularly so long as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are in uniform.
In a loaded AFC headlined by Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Burrow, the Dolphins completely wanted to resume Tagovailoa to maintain themselves alive and in playoff rivalry for years to come back.
Tagovailoa has been 12-6 in opposition to AFC East competitors all through his profession, and he’ll want that to proceed. The Buffalo Payments retooled their offense. Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets are at full power. Factoring on this troublesome competitors alone explains why the Dolphins felt the necessity to pay Tagovailoa, and his successful file helped him earn it.
Final season, he threw for over 4,600 yards with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions whereas beginning all 17 video games. Tagovailoa has been in attendance at Miami’s coaching camp as they labored on this new contract, and his workload might be anticipated to extend very quickly.
Dolphins star vast receiver Tyreek Hill, who’s searching for a brand new contract of his personal, was seemingly thrilled to listen to that the Dolphins took care of his franchise quarterback.
If Tagovailoa, who continues to be simply 26 years outdated, continues to enhance below McDaniel’s management, the sky may really be the restrict for what the Dolphins may obtain offensively.
If Tagovailoa takes them to the heights they wish to go, we’ll be speaking about that subsequent contract extension very quickly.
