Tua Tagovailoa Lands with Falcons After Dolphins Release

The former Dolphins QB will look to revive his career in Atlanta on a one-year deal.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 6:56pm

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The Miami Dolphins have decided to release quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, designating him as a post-June 1 release. This move will allow the Dolphins to spread Tagovailoa's $99.2 million in dead salary cap hit over the next two years, the largest such figure in NFL history. Tagovailoa, the 5th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, will now be free to sign with another team, and reports indicate he plans to join the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year contract.

Why it matters

Tagovailoa's release from the Dolphins represents a major fall for the young quarterback, who had shown promise early in his career but struggled mightily in 2025. The Falcons, who are dealing with their own quarterback issues after an injury to Michael Penix Jr., see Tagovailoa as a low-cost option to potentially start for them in 2026 as Penix recovers.

The details

The Dolphins' decision to release Tagovailoa comes after he threw for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 2025, leading to him being benched in December. Tagovailoa had previously led the league in passing yards (4,624) in 2023 and completion percentage (72.9%) in 2024. The Falcons, who are set to release veteran QB Kirk Cousins, see Tagovailoa as a potential short-term starter while Michael Penix Jr. recovers from a torn ACL suffered in November 2025.

  • On Monday, the Miami Dolphins announced they will designate Tua Tagovailoa as a post-June 1 release.
  • Tagovailoa's $99.2 million in dead salary cap hit is the largest in NFL history.
  • ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that Tagovailoa plans to sign with the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year contract.

The players

Tua Tagovailoa

The former 5th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Tagovailoa had a promising start to his career with the Miami Dolphins but struggled mightily in 2025 before being released.

Michael Penix Jr.

The Falcons' starting quarterback, Penix suffered a torn ACL in November 2025 and is expected to miss the start of the 2026 season as he recovers.

Kirk Cousins

The veteran quarterback is set to be released by the Falcons at the start of the new league year, clearing the way for Tagovailoa to potentially start for Atlanta.

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What they’re saying

“In Atlanta, Tagovailoa will get to play in a dome. He'll have the inside track to the starting job because of Michael Penix Jr.'s torn ACL. The Falcons had an excellent Bijan Robinson-led running game in 2025, and they were already built to accommodate a left-handed quarterback. New coach Kevin Stefanski also leaned heavily into a left-sided boot action game despite fielding right-handed quarterbacks during his time in Cleveland, which should be an easy fit for Tagovailoa.”

— Bill Barnwell, ESPN Analyst

“The reason they have to bring a quarterback in at a cut rate is because they are still dealing with the ramifications of that Kirk Cousins deal. Remember, he is getting $10 million from the Atlanta Falcons this season, plus there is the cap hit. So, they have been in a situation where they really can't spend on a quarterback.”

— Ian Rapoport, NFL Network Analyst

What’s next

Tagovailoa will look to revive his career in Atlanta, where he will have the opportunity to compete for the starting job while Michael Penix Jr. recovers from his torn ACL. The Falcons are expected to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, clearing the way for Tagovailoa to potentially start in 2026.

The takeaway

Tua Tagovailoa's release from the Dolphins represents a cautionary tale for highly drafted quarterbacks who struggle to live up to their potential. However, the Falcons' decision to sign him to a low-cost, one-year deal provides Tagovailoa with a chance to prove himself and potentially earn a longer-term contract if he can succeed in Atlanta.