Tua Tagovailoa’s payment by the Miami Dolphins was a wise decision.
After agreeing to a significant contract deal with the Miami Dolphins, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has emerged as one of the wealthiest persons in sports. One of the NFL’s most contentious quarterbacks, Tagovailoa is currently earning nearly $53 million annually with the Dolphins, the team who selected him out of Alabama in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Regarding Tagovailoa, the general consensus appears to be, at best, divided. Some contend that because he and his Dolphins team struggle in the cold and haven’t improved in the postseason, he isn’t a top-tier quarterback. Some believe he is, in fact, a premium quarterback and was compensated accordingly.
With 34 victories over the last four seasons—his entire career—Tua Tagovailoa actually ranks sixth among quarterbacks in the NFL, according to statmuse.com. In QB victories, he only lags behind Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Jalen Hurts. In 53 games, he is credited with 34 victories.
Tua Tagovailoa starts for the Miami Dolphins, and the team wins a lot.
And one may contend that success in the playoffs is inevitable? The Dolphins, after all, are just in their third season under Mike McDaniel, and they did go from nine victories in 2022 to eleven in 2023. With the squad featuring the most talented group since the Tagovailoa/McDaniel era, the 2024 season might be strong. The growth has been linear and what you would expect from a newer head coach.
You can pick apart Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins all you want, but the quarterback is actually playing the finest football of his career, and the franchise is moving forward as it should. Since joining the NFL, he has been among the league’s most successful quarterbacks. In fact, none of his first four seasons saw a loss.
The Miami Dolphins have the right to pay Tua Tagovailoa more than $50 million annually since they were without a better choice.