The Miami Dolphins made the decision on Monday to release quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. They are doing so with a post-June 1 designation, meaning they can split up his $99 million dead cap hit over the next two seasons. Despite it being a post-June 1 designation, Tagovailoa will become a free agent immediately when his release becomes official on Wednesday.
But he may not be a free agent for very long. Reports coming in just hours after news broke of his impending release indicate that he already has another team interested in him: the Atlanta Falcons.
The Atlanta Falcons want to sign former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa, Atlanta Falcons
Jan 4, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws a pass before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Falcons are interested in signing Tagovailoa to a short-term contract. Their starting quarterback, Micahel Penix Jr., is still recovering from a torn ACL and will not be ready for the start of the 2026 NFL season:
The Falcons are making a strong push to sign former Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa and a deal could come together soon, sources tell The Insiders.
No deal can be finalized until Tua is officially released Wednesday. But signs point to Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/zDAhPnQkSz
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2026
And fans think this might be the funniest landing spot possible:
OH MY GOD THIS WOULD BE HILARIOUS https://t.co/fSvgwKQcia
— Trizzy Trace (@tracegirouard48) March 9, 2026
1% of NFL QBs are left handed and the Falcons have two of them on their team lol https://t.co/OvgGsuo61d
— Ficky (@itsfickybaby) March 9, 2026
I’ve got an idea. Let’s replace Michael Penix with….older and more injury prone Michael Penix! https://t.co/A8yD5QwSMn
— Pats Pro (@PatsPro_21) March 9, 2026
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/vFQSsDfTgy
— Cory (@coryskuza) March 9, 2026
The logic behind the move makes sense. As the Falcons prepare their offense to play with Penix, a left-handed quarterback, they do not have many options when it comes to other southpaws that could fill in for him while he is out.
Because Tagovailoa is already being paid guaranteed money by Miami, despite not being on their roster for 2026, he will be able to sign a very affordable league-minimum contract.
That being said, he will not have a long window of time with which to prove himself to the rest of the NFL. Penix will be back eventually and Tagovailoa will be relegated to being a backup.
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