The Miami Dolphins face a potential franchise-altering quarterback crisis after Tua Tagovailoa openly discussed the possibility of a fresh start away from the team. This follows his benching for the final three games of the disappointing 2025 NFL season.
The Benching and a Bombshell Admission
Head coach Mike McDaniel made the seismic decision to sideline his starting QB, Tagovailoa, in favour of rookie Quinn Ewers for the last three fixtures. The Dolphins finished the campaign with a 7-10 record, missing the playoffs once again. When asked by journalists on Monday if he would welcome a new beginning elsewhere, Tagovailoa responded, "That would be great. I'd be fine with that."
This statement sends shockwaves through the organisation, given Tagovailoa signed a colossal four-year, $212 million contract extension in July 2024. His 2025 season was statistically poor, throwing a career-high 15 interceptions and recording fewer than 200 passing yards on eight separate occasions.
Coach McDaniel's Stance and a Looming QB Battle
McDaniel, who has received backing from the front office and is expected to help in the search for a new General Manager, declined to delve into specifics about Tagovailoa's decline. He confirmed a meeting with the quarterback was scheduled for Tuesday.
"I think there's a lot on the plate of a franchise quarterback," McDaniel stated. "For the first time, I've valued whether or not he should be the team's starting quarterback. That was a result of an inability to execute some things." He was quick to add this did not mean Tagovailoa could not recapture past form, but emphasised work was needed.
Furthermore, McDaniel hinted at a possible quarterback battle for the 2026 season, spurred by Ewers' impressive performances in his first three starts. This creates a starkly different future to the one envisioned when Tagovailoa signed his mega-deal.
Financial Implications and Injury History
Moving on from Tagovailoa would carry a monumental financial penalty for the Dolphins. If he were to be cut before 1st June, the team would incur a dead cap hit of $99.2 million next season alone.
The quarterback's journey has been marred by injuries, particularly a series of concerning head knocks in previous years. While he missed six games in 2024 with hip and head issues, he remained healthy for most of 2025, only missing the final three games due to the coach's decision.
The coming weeks will be critical for the Miami Dolphins. The front office must weigh a huge financial commitment against on-field performance, while McDaniel and Tagovailoa's pivotal meeting could determine whether the franchise quarterback has played his last down for the team.
