In a transfer that reaffirms the franchise’s confidence in its quarterback, the Miami Dolphins are exercising Tua Tagovailoa’s fifth-year choice, in response to a league supply Friday.
The choice locks in Tagovailoa by means of the 2024 season. The Dolphins had already mentioned they have been dedicated to Tagovailoa for the 2023 season, Tagovailoa’s fourth after being drafted at No. 5 in 2020.
Now on the fifth-year choice, he's set to make $23.2 million in 2024, a determine that’s a cut price in comparison with most of the NFL’s high-priced quarterback contracts. The workforce can nonetheless resolve to signal Tagovailoa to a long-term extension subsequent offseason or, if it continues to go yr to yr with him, make the most of the franchise tag in 2025.
In 2022, Tagovailoa lead the league in passer ranking (105.5) and yards per go try (8.9). He threw a career-high 25 touchdowns to eight interceptions, finishing 64.8 p.c of his passes for 3,548 yards.
The higher concern now, past his efficiency, is his sturdiness. Tagovailoa missed 5 1/2 video games final season, together with Miami’s playoff loss to the Buffalo Payments, attributable to two separate stints in concussion protocol.
With all these elements in play, Dolphins basic supervisor Chris Grier was not able to declare the workforce was certain to select up Tagovailoa’s fifth yr when chatting with reporters final week on the NFL scouting mix in Indianapolis.
“We’re nonetheless having all these conversations as a result of there’s numerous elements that go into that,” Grier mentioned March 1. “Now that we’re lastly ending up the teaching workers, we’ll give attention to a few of these solutions. Coming collectively, [coach Mike McDaniel] and I'll sit and discuss it, in addition to [owner Steve] Ross and [senior vice president of football and business administration] Brandon Shore. We’ll undergo it, and we’ll make our resolution then.”
Miami introduced its closing teaching workers for 2023 earlier Friday afternoon, and certainly, the Tua resolution was made shortly thereafter.
The Dolphins have till a Might 2 deadline to make the transfer official.
Though Grier was initially noncommittal when addressing the choice for the left-handed passer, he spoke glowingly of Tagovailoa and his growth in his third NFL season.
“He’s our quarterback, and he’s our quarterback right here to achieve success for a very long time,” Grier mentioned on the mix.
“Very excited for him. The strides he made this yr with [McDaniel] and the offense, you guys have seen it. It was actually thrilling. And to see the work he’s put in that you simply guys don’t see on the facility and round, has been actually unbelievable.”
Grier additionally famous that sturdiness issues would issue into any resolution, however he added “it’s not one thing that’s going to make us afraid to do one thing long-term.”
With a view to assist himself deal with hits, falls and blows to the pinnacle higher, Tagovailoa has picked up jiu-jitsu this offseason.
The fifth-year choice resolution comes amid swirling rumors and even reviews of the Dolphins exploring exterior choices at quarterback, regardless of Grier and McDaniel remaining adamant of their perception in Tagovailoa.
Any exterior quarterback transfer Miami makes this offseason is prone to be for a veteran backup quarterback to compete with Skylar Thompson, heading into his second season, for No. 2 quarterback duties. Bringing again Teddy Bridgewater for that function is amongst choices for the group.
Free-agent negotiations start Monday at midday, and free brokers can signal with new groups beginning Wednesday. The Dolphins have been clearing cap area, largely by restructuring the contracts of vast receiver Tyreek Hill, deal with Terron Armstead and out of doors linebacker Bradley Chubb.
In constructing round Tagovailoa as its beginning quarterback, Miami may very well be free-agent upgrades at inside linebacker, cornerback, working again, tight finish, probably security and on the offensive line.
Together with Tagovailoa, fellow Dolphins first-round picks of the 2020 draft in offensive lineman Austin Jackson and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene are eligible for fifth-year choices on their rookie contracts, however Jackson and Igbinoghene — each who've underwhelmed of their first three seasons — are unlikely to obtain them.
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