Tua Tagovailoa has clarified that he is committed to the Miami Dolphins for the foreseeable future. Speaking to the media on Friday, the Miami Dolphins signal-caller said he wants to sign a new extension this summer as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.
The 25-year-old quarterback, who made his first Pro Bowl yesterday, is coming off a career campaign with the Miami Dolphins. And because of this, the front office has hinted at the possibility of making Tua Tagovailoa’s wish come true.
“There’s been communication,” said Tagovailoa. “I think the thing with that right now is that I’m just letting the team talk to my agent and letting them work that out.”
Tua Tagovailoa’s 2023 campaign
Tua Tagovailoa had a productive 2023 season, as he led the NFL in passing yards with 4,624 while also recording 29 touchdown passes in 17 regular-season games. The fact that he played all regular-season games is commendable because it is the first time he has done so in his four-year NFL career.
Because of this, the Miami Dolphins boasted the best overall offense in the league. They managed to finish second in the AFC East with an 11-6 win-loss slate but eventually lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild-card round in blowout fashion, which has raised doubts about Tua Tagovailoa’s ability to deliver in crucial matches.
The reason for skepticism is because the Miami Dolphins were 1-6 against playoff-caliber opponents in 2023. Against the best teams, Tua Tagovailoa had a 62.8 completion percentage with eight touchdowns, seven interceptions, and an 80.2 passer rating. In contrast, against non-playoff squads, Tua Tagovailoa had a 71.7 completion percentage with 22 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 110.7 passer rating.
What the Miami Dolphins said about Tua Tagovailoa
The Miami Dolphins have big decisions to make this offseason, as they’re around $51 million over the salary cap. Besides Tua Tagovailoa, other notable free agents include Christian Wilkins, Robert Hunt, Xavien Howard, Terron Armstead, and Jerome Baker.
However, Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier hinted that the team is working on finalizing Tua Tagovailoa’s extension, as their goal is to keep him in the long run.
“The goal is to have him here long-term, playing at a high level. That’s always the goal, and we’ll continue to communicate with him through the offseason here,” said Grier.