Miami Dolphins
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The Jets are monitoring Tua Tagovailoa
The Miami Dolphins areexpected to part ways with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after six seasons together. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivanrevealed that the team is keeping all options regarding what they will do with Tagovailoa, but it appears the preference is to trade him. However, his large salary cap hit complicates a potential trade and with teams around the league knowing Miami plans to move off the quarterback, they may opt to wait for the Dolphins to release him.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano expects Tagovailoa to be released prior to the third day of the league year. With that expectation, teams around the league have begun monitoring the possibility of adding Tagovailoa to their roster. One of those teams is a division rival which has never beaten the Dolphins when Tagovailoa starts.
Jets Monitoring Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa
While the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills are set at the quarterback position, the New York Jets are in a similar spot to the Dolphins. Both teams lack a long-term franchise quarterback solution, and without the possibility of adding Fernando Mendoza through the draft, both may explore the free agent market. For that reason, NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo has reported that the Jets have done work on Tagovailoa as a possible free agent addition.
Tagovailoa is 7-0 in games he started against the New York Jets. His last win as a member of the Dolphins came against the Jets in their Week 14 matchup. In two games against New York during the 2025 season, Tagovailoa threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions. Perhaps that is one reason the Jets are looking to target the Dolphins quarterback.
The Jets entered the 2025 season with Justin Fields as their starter after they signed him to a two-year, $40 million deal. He was benched following the team’s Week 11 loss to the New England Patriots.
Additionally, Tagovailoa is likely to have other options around the league.ESPN’s Jeremy Fowlerreported that an NFL head coach told him, “Watch for Tua [Tagovailoa] in Atlanta.” Fowler also mentioned the Vikings as a team that could go after Tagovailoa, but he added that they are also looking at Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins, and Geno Smith.
Miami Dolphins Quarterback Situation
Once the Tua Tagovailoa situation resolves itself, the Miami Dolphins will likely shift gears and aim to find their new starting quarterback. Quinn Ewers could be an option, after starting three games during the 2025 season.
The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt believes the team could go after San Francisco 49ers backup Mac Jones. He wrote, “The Dolphins have been tied to Willis most often, but I’m not as convinced they’re going to splurge at quarterback in the first season of the Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley era. They are in the process of tearing things down to create more cap flexibility.
I’d expect them to invest in the offensive line and try to build a better environment for whoever their long-term answer is at quarterback. It feels more likely right now that they shop for quarterbacks who are cost-effective — and Willis will likely command in the $25 million to $30 million per season range, as mentioned.”