Former NFL Star Rips Dolphins Over Tua Tagovailoa’s Contract

Johnson is particularly bothered by the fact that Miami has allowed it to get to the point where Tagovailoa is missing voluntary workouts when he should be getting in work with his receivers.

Tagovailoa is preparing to enter the final year of his deal, and things have been very quiet on that front.

The Dolphins apparently made Tagovailoa an offer, but he turned it down. So, clearly, there is a gap between what Tagovailoa wants and what Miami feels he is actually worth.

Tagovailoa, who played his collegiate football at the University of Alabama, was selected by the Dolphins with the fifth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

After a couple of middling seasons to begin his career, Tagovailoa broke out in 2022, throwing for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 64.8 percent of his passes and posting a league-best 105.5 passer rating over 13 starts (he missed four games due to concussions).

Then, this past year, the 26-year-old played in every game and led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards to go along with 29 touchdowns and 14 picks. He also completed 69.3 percent of his throws and registered a 101.1 passer rating en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.

So, what is the hold up with the Dolphins and Tagovailoa?

Well, many question whether or not Tagovailoa is a legitimate franchise quarterback, as there is a large faction that feels he is a product of great wide receivers in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. After all, Tagovailoa’s breakout campaign in 2022 coincided with the arrival of Hill.

Some also feel he may be a system quarterback who is simply benefiting from head coach Mike McDaniel.

Whatever the case may be, Miami is running out of time to reach an agreement with Tagovailoa. The signal-caller has shown up for organized team activities, which is certainly an admirable move on his part. But training camp starts in a couple of months, and if the Dolphins are unable to make up any ground with Tagovailoa by then, it could become a major issue heading into 2024.