Tua Tagovailoa is gearing up for a potential new opportunity in the NFL following a challenging end to his season with the Miami Dolphins. The former All-American quarterback from Alabama was benched for the last three games of the 2025 regular season, a decision announced by head coach Mike McDaniel.
Throughout his time with the Dolphins, Tagovailoa showcased his talent as a starting quarterback, particularly during his first two seasons. He posted the NFL”s highest passing-efficiency rating in 2022 and led the league with 4,624 passing yards in 2023, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl. However, injuries hampered his performance in 2024, sidelining him for six games due to a concussion and a hip injury. Despite this, he still ranked fourth in average passing yards per game and boasted the highest completion percentage among quarterbacks with at least 2,000 passes, surpassing even Tom Brady.
By 2025, however, Tagovailoa”s performance took a downturn. His completion rate dropped to 67.7 percent, a five percent decline from the previous year, and his interception rate more than doubled. He finished the season with 2,660 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, resulting in a passing-efficiency rating of 88.5. When he was benched, he had the highest number of interceptions in the league while still ranking seventh in completion percentage.
With Tagovailoa sidelined, rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers took over, leading the Dolphins to a single victory in the final three games. Ewers managed to complete 50 of 75 passes for 569 yards, with three touchdowns and three interceptions. For those games, Tagovailoa was relegated to the role of emergency third-string quarterback, only eligible to play if both Ewers and Zach Wilson were unable to continue.
Looking ahead, the Dolphins face challenges regarding Tagovailoa”s future with the team. His contract stipulates a hefty price tag of $57 million for the next season, with $54 million guaranteed for 2026. If he remains on the roster three days after the start of the next free-agent period, an additional $3 million of his 2027 salary will also become guaranteed. Releasing him could result in a staggering $99.2 million cap hit for the 2026 season, which is approximately one-third of the team”s cap space. Although some financial strategies could diminish this figure to $67.4 million, the situation remains complicated for Miami as they consider their quarterback options moving forward.
As the 2025 season concludes, Tagovailoa”s journey in the NFL may be on the brink of a significant transition, with many eyes watching to see where he will land next.
