Miami Dolphins
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Former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa plans to sign with an NFC team
After six seasons together, the Miami Dolphinsmoved on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as they released the former Pro Bowl player. After his Pro Bowl season in 2023, which landed Tagovailoa a contract extension, things went sideways for the quarterback in Miami as they had back-to-back losing seasons.
The 2025 season was particularly tough for Tagovailoa, as he tied for the league lead in interceptions despite Miami running the ball a majority of the time. Despite the quarterback being in what should theoretically be his physical prime, he has a substantial injury history, including major hip injuries and concussions.
Injuries, alongside the team missing All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill, resulted in Tagovailoa having the worst statistical season of his career in 2025. Now, Miami has moved on despite Tagovailoa’s large salary cap hit. Fortunately for Tagovailoa, the quarterback was able to find a new team quickly as he has joined a team in the NFC.
Former Miami Dolphins Quarterback Plans to Sign With Atlanta Falcons
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Tua Tagovailoa plans to sign a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, where he will join lefty quarterback Michael Penix. The Dolphins faced the Falcons during the 2025 season, which was Tagovailoa’s best performance as he threw for four touchdowns in a blowout Dolphins victory. Penix was out with an injury and did not appear in the game.
However, his new head coach also saw the worst version of Tagovailoa last season. Kevin Stefanski, who was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns last season, coached against Tagovailoa in a game where the former Dolphins quarterback threw three interceptions and was benched during the second half.
While Penix will presumably remain the starter for the Falcons, his status is up in the air after a late-season ACL injury. That marked the third time Penix had suffered a torn ACL. If he is not able to return for Week 1, the Falcons will go with Tagovailoa, who is also a lefty quarterback and will not force the Falcons coaching staff to change the offense.
Miami Dolphins Quarterback
The Dolphins did not waste time either, as they signed the replacement for Tagovailoa shortly after.The team agreed to a three-year, $67 million contract with free agent quarterback Malik Willis.
Willis served as Jordan Love’s backup the past two seasons in Green Bay. He impressed in limited playing time as he threw for six touchdowns to no interceptions, while also rushing for three touchdowns. The risk with Willis comes from his lack of playing time. He’s thrown only 155 passes over the past four seasons
With the Dolphins, he’d be joining De’Von Achane, who had 1,350 rushing yards in 2025. Willis’ dual-threat ability would give the offense an added element in the run game that it did not have with Tagovailoa.
Willis has run for 40 or more yards in each of his last three starts, scoring three rushing touchdowns during that span. Former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has never run for 40 yards or more in a game.