Fresh off the best season of his career, Tua Tagovailoa is entering the final year of his rookie contract on the fifth-year option. At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine this week, Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told reporters that the team has been in communication with Tagovailoa’s representation on a contract extension.
While Tagovailoa has enjoyed a career resurgence under head coach Mike McDaniel, he still remains a polarizing figure due to his injury history, questions about his role in carrying an offense, and lack of postseason success. So how much is the Dolphins quarterback truly worth? One NFL contract expert weighed in, and the answer might surprise you.
NFL Analyst Gives Tua Tagovailoa Contract Projection
In today’s NFL, quarterbacks are paid at an extreme premium due to both the positional importance and the supply and demand at the position. The non-quarterback with the highest average annual salary is San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa who makes $34 million per year, the 16th-highest contract in the NFL.
Last offseason, four of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Joe Burrow, each signed long-term contract extensions, making them the top four highest-paid players in the NFL by average annual salary.
While Tagovailoa may not have the same accolades, success, and talent as each of those four quarterbacks, the salary cap has gone up by more than $30 million since then, which could play a factor in extension talks.
On Wednesday afternoon, NFL contract expert Michael Ginnitti, co-founder of Spotrac, gave a contract projection for Tagovailoa of $220 million over four years, with $165 million guaranteed.
Spotrac projects a 4 year, $220M contract extension for #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, including $105M fully guaranteed at signing, & $165M practically guaranteed through the 2027 season.
FULL BREAKDOWN: https://t.co/5J9T6KjFvG pic.twitter.com/hyWwTBKvC7
— Spotrac (@spotrac) February 28, 2024
The $55 million average would have Tagovailoa tied with Burrow as not only the highest-paid player by annual salary in the NFL but in league history.
“The Dolphins appear poised to extend Tua this offseason, who is entering his fully guaranteed fifth-year option season,” Ginnitti said.
“The bottom line here is that no player in football has more leverage than an above-average quarterback, and that has been reflected here.”
NFL fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, were shocked at Ginnitti’s contract projection.
“Every single person in that Miami front office getting fired lmfaooo,” said one fan on X.
“I will resign from being a Dolphins fan if they give Tua that much guaranteed money,” one disgruntled Miami fan said on X.
KEEP READING: A Significant Miami Dolphins-Tua Tagovailoa Contract Extension Update
“Hahahahaha I hope they do it,” one Chargers fan on X said.
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