NFL exec had laughable trade request for Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a rough 2025 campaign, as he completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and a career-high 15 interceptions while leading the team to a 6-8 record before getting benched in favor of Quinn Ewers .
While the Dolphins don't have a definitive plan for the future, they do appear ready to move on from Tagovailoa one way or another. A trade would be more helpful, but that seems less likely by the day.
In fact, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones revealed that at least one team might've traded for the quarterback under one specific condition.
"Though Miami has tried, the Dolphins have been unable to find any takers for Tua Tagovailoa and his contract," Jones wrote. "One high-ranking team executive told CBS Sports he had considered taking on Tagovailoa if the Dolphins would send a first-round pick to take on the freight of his contract. It is the type of deal the NFL frowns upon and something that has only been done at that level with Brock Osweiler . The odds have been overwhelmingly in favor of the Dolphins exercising Tagovailoa's 2026 option at some point 10 days after the start of the league year and then releasing him as a post-June 1 designation. That will spread the $99 million dead cap hit over two seasons and make Tagovailoa free to sign somewhere on the veteran minimum.
"There are only so many places Tagovailoa can play considering his poor performance in the cold. A warm-weather team, or a team that plays in a dome, could be an option."
In six seasons, Tagovailoa has led the Dolphins to a 44-32 record while completing 68% of his passes for 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions. Unfortunately, injuries and poor play have kept Tagovailoa from guiding the team to the playoffs consistently.
With a new regime, it's no surprise that Miami wants to move on from the first-round pick, but the situation isn't so dire that they'd give up their first-round pick (No. 11 overall) this year.
We saw a deal like that happen a few years back when the Rams sent Jared Goff along with two first-round picks and a third-round pick to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford . Miami would have to get another talented player back for a similar deal to be possible.
It's much more likely that Tagovailoa is just released after the start of the new league year.
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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: NFL exec had laughable condition in trade talks for Tua Tagovailoa
