The contract extension negotiations between Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins appear to be hitting a snag, indicating a potential misalignment in expectations between the team and its quarterback.
Recent reports from ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, shared during an episode of “NFL Live” and cited by Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald, suggest that Miami has not extended a market-value contract offer to Tagovailoa.
This development comes amid a period where substantial contracts are being signed across the league, underscoring the financial discrepancies in these negotiations.
RELATED: Tyreek Hill Was Asked To Pick Between Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa at Youth Camp
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Tagovailoa is pursuing a contract that aligns with the current market rates for quarterbacks, a stance that seems reasonable given recent high-profile signings.
For instance, the Jacksonville Jaguars have committed to a five-year, $275-million contract with Trevor Lawrence earlier in June, placing him among the NFL’s top earners. Similarly, Jared Goff secured a lucrative four-year, $212 million deal from the Detroit Lions in May.
These deals not only set a precedent but also seem to be influencing the negotiation dynamics between Tagovailoa and the Dolphins, with Darlington noting that Miami’s offers “are not in the Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence ballpark.”
Spotrac lists Lawrence and Cincinnati Bengals’ star Joe Burrow as the highest-paid quarterbacks based on average annual salary, with Lawrence and Burrow each earning around $55 million per year. Goff follows closely at $53 million.
In comparison, Spotrac projects Tagovailoa’s market value at approximately $52.6 million annually, which suggests his expectations are not out of line with the going rate for elite quarterbacks.
Moreover, the Atlanta Falcons recently inked a significant deal with free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, signing the 35-year-old to a four-year, $180 million contract in March, further highlighting the competitive quarterback market.
Tagovailoa himself acknowledged the financial landscape for quarterbacks, stating on June 4, “I’m not blind to people in my position that are getting paid.”
While Tagovailoa may not yet be considered at the same level as Lawrence, Goff, or Burrow in terms of overall quarterback play, his performance metrics from recent seasons make a compelling case for a substantial contract.
In the previous season, he led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards and achieved personal bests with 29 touchdown passes and a 69.3% pass completion rate.
Additionally, he topped the league in both quarterback rating and yards per attempt in 2022, underscoring his growth and potential as a leading quarterback in the league. This backdrop paints a complex picture of a talented player seeking fair recognition and remuneration in a rapidly escalating market.
