coI have a favorable opinion of Tua Tagovailoa, but I’m not a blindly loyal “Tuanon” who believes he can do no wrong. Likewise, I’m not a “Tua-hater.” I believe Tua should receive a contract extension this year, but my perspective is nuanced.
During a 12-hour drive over the weekend, I contemplated Tua’s expected extension and arrived at a conclusion. While Tua is a good quarterback, he falls short of greatness. He can lead in yardage, maintain a positive touchdown-interception ratio, and be in MVP discussions, but there’s a catch. Tua needs support, and quality support comes at a cost, which the Dolphins are expected to allocate towards his new deal.
Speculation suggests Tua’s contract might match or surpass Joe Burrow’s, a notion I find excessive. In my view, Burrow is overpaid, and Tua, despite playing better than Herbert, should not be valued at $52.5 million annually. I propose a more reasonable figure, around $50 million per season, with a guarantee of approximately $100 million. If the Dolphins perceive Tua as an injury risk, he should consider accepting what he can get.
Tua’s success relies on strong receivers and a robust running game. While he exhibits leadership off the field, on-field inconsistency during critical moments doesn’t justify a top-tier salary. The Dolphins must balance paying Tua adequately with the need to afford talented players on both sides of the ball.
My suggested approach is to pay Tua around $50 million per year, guarantee $100 million, and structure the deal with a backloaded arrangement. Including a retirement clause is essential, and reassessing the situation in four years when Tua’s performance is clearer seems prudent.
Despite my reservations, I don’t advocate for letting Tua go or trading him. He possesses great potential and occasional flashes of brilliance. However, until he consistently proves himself, a substantial payday isn’t warranted.
Crucially, the Dolphins hold leverage. They can insist on Tua playing under the $24 million fifth-year option. Tua, without long-term security, must consider the Dolphins’ offer, proving his worth on the field. If he achieves significant success, a renegotiation in three seasons could then position him as the highest-paid QB. The Dolphins, I believe, should avoid repeating the mistakes made by the Bengals and Chargers in overvaluing their quarterbacks.
