Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa Unlikely to Replicate Sam Darnold's Career Revival

ESPN analyst sees Tagovailoa as a "bridge quarterback" rather than a long-term starter

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Miami Dolphins are expected to move on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this offseason, and while some teams may give him a chance in 2026, ESPN's Ben Solak believes Tagovailoa is unlikely to follow a similar career path of resurgence as Sam Darnold. Solak sees Tagovailoa as more of an ideal "bridge quarterback" who can win games and get the ball to young playmakers, but with a limited ceiling as a full-time, playoff-contending starter.

Why it matters

Tagovailoa's future in Miami has been a topic of much debate, and this analysis provides insight into why the Dolphins may be moving on from the former first-round pick. It also raises questions about Tagovailoa's long-term prospects as an NFL starter, even if he lands with a new team.

The details

In the 2022 season, Tagovailoa had 15 interceptions, 20 touchdowns, and 2,660 passing yards in 14 games played, cementing the Dolphins' decision to move forward without him. Solak believes Tagovailoa is more likely to be a "bridge quarterback" for a team, rather than a long-term solution at the position.

  • The Dolphins are expected to cut or trade Tagovailoa this offseason.

The players

Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins' quarterback who is expected to be traded or released this offseason.

Sam Darnold

A quarterback who recently turned his career around, winning a Super Bowl on his fifth team.

Ben Solak

An ESPN analyst who believes Tagovailoa is more likely to be a "bridge quarterback" rather than a long-term starter.

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What they’re saying

“Tagovailoa is the ideal bridge quarterback, in that you can win with him, but he won't hold off a promising rookie passer for long.”

— Ben Solak, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Dolphins are expected to make a decision on Tagovailoa's future in the coming months, either trading or releasing him.

The takeaway

This analysis suggests that while Tua Tagovailoa may get another chance with a new team, he is unlikely to replicate the career resurgence seen by Sam Darnold. Tagovailoa is viewed more as a "bridge quarterback" who can be competitive but has a limited ceiling as a long-term starter, raising questions about his long-term NFL prospects.