Are Dolphins contract negotiations with Tua getting messy? Report says Miami not offering market value
Tua Tagovailoa is expecting a contract in the range of what quarterbacks have recently been paid, but the Dolphins aren't in that ballpark, according to a report.
The Miami Dolphins and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa may not be all that close on a contract extension at this point in the offseason.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, appearing on the network’s “NFL Live” program, the Dolphins’ offer to Tagovailoa doesn’t match other recent quarterback deals, like Jared Goff got with the Detroit Lions and Trevor Lawrence signed on for with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Right now, the Dolphins are not offering the contract that is the market value,” Darlington said.
“We’re not to panic point just yet. I just think my optimism earlier has to be slightly scaled back at this point. … Based on my conversations, they are not in the Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence ballpark.”
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has previously expressed a willingness to sign Tagovailoa to his long-term extension this offseason before he plays on the fifth and final season of his rookie contract this fall. It has led to a general consensus that a deal will eventually be signed, despite the delays.
“I’ve been long optimistic about Tua Tagovailoa getting this deal done,” Darlington said. “I’m not saying that it won’t get done, because these things generally happen. But right now, there’s five words that are looming over this contract negotiation. And they are the words that came out of Tua’s mouth: ‘The market is the market.’ ”
That was one of the key quotes Tagovailoa offered when he last spoke to reporters at Dolphins mandatory minicamp in early June, when he appeared a bit uneasy over how long it has taken to strike a deal.
The question was in regard to Goff, the Detroit Lions’ quarterback, getting $53 million per year, and the interaction occurred before the Jacksonville Jaguars reached terms with Lawrence for an average annual value of $55 million.
“The complicated part in this is the Dolphins could point at that Jared Goff deal and say, ‘Well, we’re not the Detroit Lions; we’re not making that decision.’ But after Trevor Lawrence then leapfrogs it, you’ve got a situation.”
Darlington added he believes the Green Bay Packers will now secure their quarterback, Jordan Love, on an extension before Miami and Tagovailoa agree to terms, which would only further complicate negotiations.
Tagovailoa, in 2023, completed his first full season healthy, mitigating injury concerns that have followed him his first three NFL seasons and dating back to college at Alabama.
He led the NFL in passing yards with 4,624 last season, while completing 69.3 percent of passes, throwing 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. All were career highs.
He has found success his past two seasons, specifically, since being under the direction of coach Mike McDaniel and having star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to target. In 2022, he led the league in passer rating (105.5) and yards per attempt (8.9).
The Dolphins are within a month from starting training camp, with veterans set to report July 23.
During the offseason, he missed portions of the team’s workout program and sat out 11-on-11 team drills in organized team activities and minicamp. This came amid contract negotiations, his own work away from the team with personal quarterback coach John Beck, and his personal training that has resulted in significant weight loss.