Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa Open to Fresh Start Elsewhere After Disappointing Season

Quarterback says 'that would be dope' when asked about possibility of playing elsewhere

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Tua Tagovailoa appears ready to move on from the Miami Dolphins after being benched for the final three games of the 2025-2026 season due to poor performance. The sixth-year quarterback said he would be "good with" a "fresh start" elsewhere, confirming he understands that to mean playing for another team. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel also confirmed there will be an open quarterback competition in 2026, with the possibility of bringing in someone from outside the organization.

Why it matters

Tagovailoa's potential departure would be a significant development for the Dolphins, who signed him to a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension just last year. The team faces a difficult decision, as releasing Tagovailoa next year would result in a massive $99 million dead cap charge, potentially hampering their ability to rebuild the roster.

The details

Tagovailoa threw for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns this past season, but struggled with accuracy and mobility, throwing a career-high 15 interceptions. His poor performance led to him being benched for the final three games of the season. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed there will be an open quarterback competition in 2026, with the possibility of bringing in someone from outside the organization to compete with Tagovailoa for the starting job.

  • Tagovailoa was benched for the final three games of the 2025-2026 season.
  • Tagovailoa's comments about a "fresh start" came on March 5, 2026, a day after the Dolphins' season ended with a 38-10 loss to the New England Patriots.

The players

Tua Tagovailoa

The sixth-year quarterback for the Miami Dolphins who is open to the idea of playing for another team after being benched for the final three games of the 2025-2026 season.

Mike McDaniel

The head coach of the Miami Dolphins who confirmed there will be an open quarterback competition in 2026, with the possibility of bringing in someone from outside the organization to compete with Tagovailoa for the starting job.

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What they’re saying

“That would be dope. I would be good with it.”

— Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins Quarterback (The Palm Beach Post)

“In 2026, I think there will be competition for our starting quarterback. What that is and how that looks, there's a lot that remains to be seen. It's the most important position on the football field, and you have to make sure you do everything possible to get the best person out there on the field.”

— Mike McDaniel, Dolphins Head Coach (foxnews.com)

What’s next

The Dolphins face a difficult decision regarding Tagovailoa's future, as releasing him next year would result in a $99 million dead cap charge. If the move is designated as a post-June 1 release, those charges would be split over two years, with $67.4 million allocated to the 2026 cap and $31.8 million in 2027.

The takeaway

Tagovailoa's potential departure from the Dolphins highlights the team's struggles to find stability at the quarterback position, despite investing heavily in the former first-round pick. The open competition for the starting job in 2026 suggests the Dolphins are willing to explore other options, potentially signaling the end of Tagovailoa's tenure in Miami.