Tua Tagovailoa’s $212 million deal may already be causing regret for the Dolphins.
Just a year ago, the Miami Dolphins were in a tough spot with Tua Tagovailoa—either commit to a big contract or risk losing him to free agency.
Fast forward, and it’s surprising to realize they’re only entering the second season of his massive extension. Tua signed his four-year, $212 million deal—averaging $53.1 million per year—just days into 2024 training camp. So far, the return on that investment includes six missed games, four due to yet another concussion.
Since being drafted, Tagovailoa has been one of the most polarizing figures among Dolphins fans. While a few see star potential, the majority remain unconvinced.
FoxSports.com’s Henry McKenna recently evaluated the league’s top-paid quarterbacks, assigning labels to each. Unsurprisingly, he marked Tagovailoa as overpaid—an assessment many Dolphins fans likely agree with. McKenna also suggested that Tua has likely hit his peak, stating, “It’s likely Tua won’t get better as a QB. He’ll simply stay at this plateau.”
Despite being among the highest earners at his position, Tagovailoa is still viewed by many as not living up to his salary. It’s a tough argument to refute. He performed at his best in 2023, and even that fell short of expectations. His dip in 2024 was once again tied to head injuries, and his play after returning failed to match his earlier form. All signs suggest Tua may have already reached his maximum potential.
One key point Henry McKenna raised was the impact of Tyreek Hill—a factor that could become critical as the Dolphins head into what might be Hill’s final season in Miami. His potential departure could have a major effect on Tua Tagovailoa’s performance.
Tagovailoa performs at his highest level when he can make quick decisions, typically within the first two to three seconds of a play. His strength lies in getting the ball out fast—especially to Hill, whose elite speed perfectly complements Tua’s quick release.
However, Tagovailoa tends to struggle when forced to extend plays, move around the pocket, and progress through multiple reads. More often than not, he ends up looking for Hill again. While Jaylen Waddle is a talented receiver, he rarely becomes Tua’s go-to unless the play is specifically designed for him.
Everything seemed to fall into place for both the Dolphins and Tagovailoa in 2023, prompting the team to make a major decision—either pay him market value or move on. They chose to commit, but injuries in 2024 disrupted their momentum. Hill missed time, and Tagovailoa sat out four games due to another concussion, then was sidelined again later with a hip injury.
Even when both were on the field, opposing defenses often managed to neutralize Hill, and without him as a reliable outlet, Tagovailoa had a hard time replicating his 2023 performance. These aren’t criticisms meant to undermine him—they’re simply observations. As McKenna noted, Tagovailoa hasn’t demonstrated he can consistently play at a high level without Hill’s speed to elevate his game.
