In a transfer that reaffirms the franchise’s confidence in its quarterback, the Miami Dolphins are exercising Tua Tagovailoa’s fifth-year choice, in response to a league supply Friday.
The resolution locks in Tagovailoa via the 2024 season. The Dolphins had already stated they had been dedicated to Tagovailoa for the 2023 season, Tagovailoa’s fourth after being drafted at No. 5 in 2020.
Now on the fifth-year choice, he’s set to make $23.2 million in 2024, a determine that’s a cut price in comparison with most of the NFL’s high-priced quarterback contracts. The crew can nonetheless determine to signal Tagovailoa to a long-term extension subsequent offseason or, if it continues to go yr to yr with him, make the most of the franchise tag in 2025.
In 2022, Tagovailoa lead the league in passer score (105.5) and yards per go try (8.9). He threw a career-high 25 touchdowns to eight interceptions, finishing 64.8 p.c of passes for 3,548 yards.
The better concern now, past his efficiency, is his sturdiness. Tagovailoa missed 5 1/2 video games final season, together with Miami’s playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, because of two separate stints in concussion protocol.
With all these components in play, Dolphins normal supervisor Chris Grier was not able to declare the crew was certain to choose up Tagovailoa’s fifth yr when talking to reporters final week on the NFL scouting mix in Indianapolis.
“We’re still having all those conversations because there’s a lot of factors that go into that,” Grier stated March 1. “Now that we’re finally finishing up the coaching staff, we’ll focus on some of these answers. Coming together, [coach Mike McDaniel] and I will sit and talk about it, as well as [owner Steve] Ross and [senior vice president of football and business administration] Brandon Shore. We’ll go through it, and we’ll make our decision then.”
Miami introduced its last teaching workers for 2023 earlier Friday afternoon, and certainly, the Tua resolution was made shortly thereafter.
The Dolphins have till a May 2 deadline to make the transfer official.
Although Grier was initially noncommittal when addressing the choice for the left-handed passer, he spoke glowingly of Tagovailoa and his growth in his third NFL season.
“He’s our quarterback, and he’s our quarterback here to be successful for a long time,” Grier stated on the mix.
“Very excited for him. The strides he made this year with [McDaniel] and the offense, you guys have seen it. It was really exciting. And to see the work he’s put in that you guys don’t see at the facility and around, has been really incredible.”
Grier additionally famous that sturdiness issues would issue into any resolution, however he added “it’s not something that’s going to make us afraid to do something long-term.”
The fifth-year choice resolution comes amid swirling rumors and even experiences of the Dolphins exploring outdoors choices at quarterback, regardless of Grier and McDaniel remaining adamant of their perception in Tagovailoa.
Any outdoors quarterback transfer Miami makes this offseason is prone to be for a veteran backup quarterback to compete with Skylar Thompson, heading into his second season, for No. 2 quarterback duties. Bringing again Teddy Bridgewater for that position is amongst choices for the group.
Free-agent negotiations start Monday at midday, and free brokers can signal with new groups beginning Wednesday. The Dolphins have been clearing cap area, principally by restructuring the contracts of large receiver Tyreek Hill, deal with Terron Armstead and outdoors linebacker Bradley Chubb.
In constructing round Tagovailoa as its beginning quarterback, Miami could possibly be free-agent upgrades at inside linebacker, cornerback, operating again, tight finish, probably security and on the offensive line.
Along with Tagovailoa, fellow Dolphins first-round picks of the 2020 draft in offensive lineman Austin Jackson and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene are eligible for fifth-year choices on their rookie contracts, however Jackson and Igbinoghene — each who’ve underwhelmed of their first three seasons — are unlikely to obtain them.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com