Speculation continues to swirl around Tua Tagovailoa’s future after the Miami Dolphins quarterback suffered his third reported concussion in a Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills, which ended in a 31-10 loss. The injury has prompted a new wave of concern over his long-term health and career longevity. Despite the alarming nature of his latest concussion, NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter have both reported that, as of now, Tagovailoa has no plans to retire.
However, Tagovailoa’s future is still uncertain, as he must undergo evaluations from medical specialists before he and his doctors decide the next steps. The quarterback, who is just 26 years old, has been dealing with a series of head injuries that have raised serious questions about his safety in continuing to play football. Yet, one factor that could deter him from retiring on his own terms is the significant financial implications tied to his recently signed contract.
As sports business analyst Darren Rovell pointed out, Tagovailoa would stand to lose a staggering $124 million in guaranteed money if he chooses to retire while medically cleared to play.
On the flip side, if doctors advise him to step away from football due to health concerns, Tagovailoa would still be entitled to the full financial package from his contract.
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This is no small consideration. Tagovailoa inked a five-year, $212.1 million deal over the summer, with $167 million of that sum guaranteed. As noted by Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac, Tagovailoa is set to receive the full $43 million salary for the 2024 season, which further complicates any decision to voluntarily walk away from the game.
Financially, it would be a major hit for Tagovailoa to retire without medical advice dictating that step, making it clear why he may be hesitant to consider retirement at this stage.
Given the gravity of his latest concussion, it is too soon to predict what the future holds for Tagovailoa. The quarterback’s recent brain injury has put his health at the forefront of discussions, and any decisions about his playing career will hinge on medical evaluations in the coming weeks. For now, the focus is squarely on his recovery.
On Friday, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized that his primary concern is Tagovailoa’s well-being, rather than how this injury might impact his football future. McDaniel made it clear that the team is prioritizing Tagovailoa’s health over any thoughts about getting him back on the field.
“First and foremost, I’m not assessing the injury through the lens of, ‘Alright, so what does this mean for him playing?'” McDaniel said. “Really, for me, I know the facts are that it’s important that he gets healthy day by day, and in that, the best thing I can do is not try to assess what this even means from a football standpoint.”
For now, all eyes are on Tagovailoa’s recovery process. While the quarterback has expressed no intention of retiring, the decision may ultimately rest in the hands of medical professionals, who will have to weigh the long-term risks of returning to the field versus stepping away for good.
As Tagovailoa continues to recover, the future of his football career remains a topic of intense speculation.
