The Miami Dolphins have decided to release quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, ending his tenure with the franchise and triggering one of the largest salary cap charges in NFL history.
According to multiple reports, the Dolphins will absorb roughly $99 million in dead-cap space, a record amount for a single player. The team is expected to designate the move as a post–June 1 release, which allows the cap hit to be spread across two seasons.
Tagovailoa had signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with the Dolphins less than two years ago. Despite that commitment, Miami’s leadership ultimately chose to move in a different direction at quarterback as part of a broader roster reset.
The decision comes after a turbulent 2025 season that raised questions about the team’s long-term trajectory. Miami reportedly explored trade options involving Tagovailoa, but no team was willing to take on the remaining contract terms, leaving release as the most realistic path forward.
Tagovailoa was originally selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and quickly became the face of the franchise. During his time with the Miami Dolphins, he helped power one of the league’s most explosive offenses and even led the NFL in passing yards during one of his standout seasons.
Across six seasons in Miami, Tagovailoa threw for more than 18,000 passing yards and over 120 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most productive quarterbacks in team history.
Now entering free agency for the first time in his career, Tagovailoa could become a low-cost option for quarterback-needy teams because Miami remains responsible for much of his guaranteed money.
For the Dolphins, the move signals a dramatic shift in direction. Releasing their former franchise quarterback underscores the organization’s willingness to endure a historic cap hit in order to reset its roster and chart a new course for the future.
