Dec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Where or rather how Tua Tagovailoa lands at his next destination is becoming all the more clear following the NFL Combine.
After new general manager Jon Eric-Sullivan engaged in a number of trade discussions the most likely outcome appears to be Miami releasing Tagovailoa after the start of June according to ESPN. If he is released in June, $3 million of Tagovailoa’s 2027 salary would become fully guaranteed which would be chip away at the $99.2 million it will cost to release him.
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Should Tagovailoa hit the open market, he will draw considerable interest from quarterback needy teams to compete for a starting job. In fact he could be a major target of an NFC North contender when he hits the open market.
In the report, the Minnesota Vikings were listed as an interested suitor of Tagovailoa. He would be in a group of Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals), Geno Smith (Las Vegas Raiders) and Kirk Cousins (free agent).
The Vikings have no shortage of talent on both sides of the ball and have an excellent offensive head coach in Kevin O’Connell paired with defensive coordinator Brian Flores. But the team was largely held back by sub-par quarterback play from second year signal caller JJ McCarthy.
In 10 games McCarthy posted a 6-4 record passing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions while completing roughly 57% of his passes. Minnesota ultimately finished 9-8 on the seasons missing the playoffs, and with an aging and expensive roster the window to compete is becoming all the more narrow.
Which is where Tagovailoa comes into the picture.
Both Smith and Murray were listed at the primary targets in the report, but should Tagovailoa become a free agent he could become the most attractive option due to his previous play accompanied by his cost friendly price tag.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, viaPat_Dowd77