Tua Tagovailoa has spent his complete profession with the Miami Dolphins, however after six seasons, it appears just like the workforce is able to transfer on, which suggests Tagovailoa is probably going to be suiting up for another person in 2026.
At this level, the one query is whether or not Tua goes to get launched or traded. Each eventualities would include some issues for the Dolphins and that is as a result of Tua has $54 million in assured cash owed to him for the 2026 season. If the Dolphins minimize Tua, they’d be caught with an NFL-record $99.2 million lifeless cap cost this yr. Nonetheless, they may knock that quantity right down to $67.4 million in the event that they designate him as a post-June 1 minimize, a transfer that may enable them to separate the $99.2 million hit over two seasons (they’d additionally take a $31.8 million lifeless cap hit in 2027).
One of the best-case state of affairs for the Dolphins could be to discover a potential commerce accomplice. The issue there may be that it is extremely unlikely that any workforce goes to be prepared to tackle Tua’s $54 million assured wage for 2026. Nonetheless, the Dolphins might nonetheless attempt to make a deal occur by agreeing to pay a few of that wage. If Miami was prepared to pay $24 million, then the buying workforce would solely must pay Tua $30 million in 2026, which is a way more manageable quantity.
So if Tua does go away Miami, the place might he find yourself? Let’s check out 4 potential touchdown spots.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are at present in a nightmare state of affairs at quarterback. They appeared to have their quarterback of the longer term in 2024 with Sam Darnold, who led them to a 14-3 file. The Vikings might have stored him final yr, however as an alternative of signing Darnold to a long-term deal (and even simply franchise tagging him), they determined to roll the cube by going all in with J.J. McCarthy and that gamble completely backfired. In his first full yr as a starter, McCarthy appeared a lot nearer to being a bust than somebody who will finally be the workforce’s future franchise quarterback.
Say what you’ll about Tua, however he is undoubtedly a way more polished quarterback than McCarthy. Though he is had some hassle staying wholesome, Tua has been productive when he is on the sphere and he is been particularly good when he is had the appropriate weapons round him and the Vikings have plenty of offensive weapons to work with in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. Tua may need to compete with McCarthy for the job, however that is probably a contest the place he could be feeling fairly assured.
And let’s not overlook, Tua’s former offensive coordinator, Frank Smith, is now in Minnesota. Smith labored with Tua for 4 seasons in Miami and he is now the assistant head coach for the Vikings after being employed this yr, so there could be some familiarity there.
The largest query mark right here is whether or not Tua would wish to be a part of a workforce that features Brian Flores. The Vikings defensive coordinator was Tua’s head coach in Miami for 2 seasons (2020-21) and the 2 undoubtedly did not get alongside. Tua ripped Flores’ teaching type again in 2024 and it is not clear if the two sides have mended fences. If they’ve, then Minnesota looks like an attractive spot for the previous fifth general choose.
Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray has nearly definitely performed his final down in Arizona, which suggests the Cardinals will probably be out there for a quarterback this offseason. Jacoby Brissett, who began 12 video games final season, is underneath contract for 2026, so the Playing cards do have a security web, however it will make much more sense tor them to carry somebody in.
New Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur simply spent three seasons because the offensive coordinator with the Rams, the place he started working with one of many NFL’s prime pocket passers in Matthew Stafford. That is not Murray’s enjoying type, however it undoubtedly is what Tua prefers, which why he may be capable to slot in with Arizona’s new offense.
The Cardinals have some strong weapons, together with Trey McBride, who’s the most effective tight ends within the NFL. They’ve even have a powerful receiving duo in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. Tua was at his finest in Miami when Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle had been each on the sphere, so the Cardinals know what sort of manufacturing he is able to when he has some weapons round him.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts may be the largest wild card on the subject of the quarterback place this yr and that is as a result of it is not clear if Daniel Jones can be able to play in Week 1. Jones had a robust season in his first-year with Indianapolis, however it got here to a painful finish in December when he tore his Achilles. That is probably the most brutal accidents in sports activities and it would not be stunning in any respect if he needed to miss the primary few weeks of the 2026 season. As a matter of reality, if you happen to take a look at the restoration timeline for quarterbacks, it will be a borderline miracle if Jones had been to play in Week 1. Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins each tore their Achilles in 2023 they usually ended up enjoying in Week 1 of the next season, however each of these accidents occurred early within the season (Cousins’ damage got here in Week 8 whereas Rodgers tore his Achilles in Week 1. Jones suffered his damage in Week 14).
Not solely is Jones’ well being up within the air, however he is additionally set to be a free agent, so the Colts have fo work out what they wish to do with him, and that is the place Tua would are available in. If the Colts determine to re-sign Jones, Tua might signal a one-year deal — if the Dolphins launch him — and be the QB till Jones is able to play. A commerce might additionally make sense if the Dolphins are prepared to eat a wholesome chunk of Tua’s $54 million wage for 2026. Tua would not have any assured cash left after the 2026 season, so he might fill in for Jones for just a few weeks, end out the 2026 season in Indy after which the Colts might launch or commerce him in the course of the 2027 offseason (Tua may have $3 million of his 2027 wage grow to be assured on March 13, so the Colts must cope with that in the event that they acquired him in a commerce from Miami).
One factor working in Tua’s favor is that the Colts have a arrange the place he might thrive: They’ve a strong offensive line, they’ve the most effective operating backs within the NFL (Jonathan Taylor), they’ve a strong receiving group led by Michael Pittman they usually have a strong younger tight finish in Tyler Warren. Tua might put up some huge numbers in Indy.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons at present have two quarterbacks in Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., however that will not be the case for much longer. The workforce is anticipated to launch Cousins earlier than the beginning of free company, which can go away Penix as the highest man on the depth chart. Penix comes with some critical query marks, although: He simply tore his ACL for the third time in his soccer profession and he hasn’t confirmed that he can play persistently good soccer.
Though the Falcons count on him to be prepared for Week 1, he is enjoying for a brand new coach and a brand new entrance workplace that did not draft him, so it would not be stunning in any respect in the event that they introduced in some competitors for him. Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski has proven that he can win video games even when he has to cycle via quarterbacks. He led the Browns to the playoffs throughout a 2023 season the place Cleveland began 5 totally different gamers at quarterback. Stefanski is a great offensive thoughts and if he thinks that Tua has extra upside than Penix, then he would nearly definitely be enthusiastic about bringing him to Atlanta.
Bringing in a left-handed QB to compete with a left-handed QB could be a plus for the Falcons as a result of it implies that Atlanta would not must make any enormous adjustments from an offensive standpoint.
The person making the selections in Atlanta’s entrance workplace, Matt Ryan, was noncommittal when requested if Penix could be the beginning QB in 2026. Ryan informed CBS Sports activities NFL insider Jonathan Jones that Penix’s function can be determined by new head coach Kevin Stefanski.
“Kevin’s accountability is to be the top coach of the soccer workforce and he will let you recognize who our starters are and who our starters are usually not. It isn’t my place to go in there,” Ryan mentioned throughout Tremendous Bowl week.
So the QB job can be as much as Stefanski, which definitely leaves the door open for Atlanta to herald a brand new quarterback.
Why a number of QB-needy groups did not make this listing
One factor chances are you’ll or could not have observed about this listing is that each workforce on it performs indoors. If Tua has confirmed one factor in his profession, it is that he struggles when the climate will get chilly, so it would not make a lot sense for him to play in a cold-weather metropolis, which is why we do not have the Jets, Steelers or Browns listed right here.
The ultimate begin of Tua’s Dolphins’ profession got here in a December loss to the Steelers the place the kickoff temperature was 17 levels. That dropped Tua’s profession file to 0-6 when the temperature is under 40. If I am a workforce in a cold-weather metropolis, I do not need Tua, and if I am Tua, I do not wish to play in a cold-weather metropolis. For Tua, enjoying indoors will assure that he’ll get good climate for at the least eight video games per yr. Tua has an 8-4 profession file when enjoying indoors (dome or retractable roof) together with his final recreation coming in Week 8 in opposition to the Falcons, a day that noticed him throw 4 landing passes in a 34-10 win.
