Miami Dolphins do not offer Tua Tagovailoa a contract at “market value”

Three weeks ago, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa spoke to the media in South Florida about his possible contract extension with the club. At the time, the young signal caller said he was “nervous” to close a deal and that the “Market is the market“ regarding the price of a new deal.

On Tuesday, ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington addressed Tagovailoa’s contract situation on NFL Live – and for the first time cast doubt on the idea that the deal would be finalized soon.

“Right now, the Dolphins are not offering a contract that matches the market value based on the contracts that have been signed (with Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence), so if that happens, it will simply require further negotiations and we shouldn’t panic just yet. I just think my earlier optimism needs to be tempered a little at this point given all the factors that are currently at play.”

Darlington continued:

“From my conversations, Miami’s offers don’t compare to Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence, and that speaks volumes to me about the current state of negotiations. But again, key word, negotiations. We all know, we’ve all been through them, we know that can change in a minute.”

In May, the Detroit Lions gave quarterback Jared Goff a four-year, $212 million contract, with $170 million guaranteed. This month, the Jacksonville Jaguars gave the former first-round pick a five-year, $275 million contract, with $142 million guaranteed at signing and $200 million guaranteed overall.

Tagovailoa – Miami’s first-round selection with the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft – wants to be compensated for his recent accomplishments, which include leading the league in passing with 4,624 yards in 2023 while playing all 17 regular-season games and the lone playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Darlington further said that he believes Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers will sign a contract extension with his club first and “That would only complicate the situation for Tua if it came to that.”

The Dolphins may be playing with fire when it comes to their young quarterback, but only time will tell if they are making the right decision regarding the tough trade they are currently making with Tua Tagovailoa.