In a stunning move just as the NFL’s free agency period begins, the Miami Dolphins have released quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, according to team sources. Dolphins General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan reportedly explored trade options for the former franchise quarterback but was unable to find a partner willing to take on his contract. The team ultimately made the decision to designate Tagovailoa’s release as a post-June 1 move, allowing Miami some long-term cap relief while absorbing a significant financial hit in the short term.
Under the terms of the release, Miami will carry $67.2 million in dead cap space for the 2026 season, one of the largest such figures in recent NFL history. The move does provide some future flexibility, however, as the Dolphins are expected to save approximately $21.6 million against the salary cap in 2027. With Tagovailoa gone, the Dolphins’ quarterback room has been dramatically reshaped, leaving Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller as the only two quarterbacks currently on the roster heading into the start of free agency.
Tagovailoa’s departure ends a tenure that began with high expectations. The Dolphins selected the former Alabama star with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, making him the franchise’s long-term successor at quarterback after his record-setting collegiate career under Nick Saban. Tua entered the league on a four-year rookie contract worth roughly $30.3 million, including a signing bonus of more than $19 million, and he was immediately viewed as the centerpiece of Miami’s rebuilding effort.
After several productive seasons and flashes of elite play in Miami’s high-powered offense, the Dolphins doubled down on their investment. The team signed Tagovailoa to a massive contract extension worth over $200 million, a deal designed to lock him in as the franchise quarterback for years to come. That extension now plays a major role in the financial consequences of his release, contributing to the significant dead-cap figure the Dolphins must absorb in 2026.
With NFL free agency officially opening March 9, 2026, Miami now faces major questions about its future at the position. Dolphins Today host Nic Rohloff reacted to the surprising move, breaking down the implications of Tagovailoa’s release, what it means for the team’s salary cap situation, and which quarterbacks Miami could pursue next as rumors begin to swirl across the league.
