Tua Tagovailoa Released by Dolphins: NFL-Record $99M Dead Cap Ends Six-Year Era
The Tua Tagovailoa era in Miami is officially over. The Miami Dolphins announced Monday, March 9, that they are releasing the 28-year-old quarterback — absorbing a jaw-dropping $99 million dead cap hit in the process, the largest in NFL history — while simultaneously agreeing to sign Malik Willis as his replacement. The Atlanta Falcons emerged Monday afternoon as the frontrunner to sign Tagovailoa once he clears waivers.
Tua Tagovailoa Contract and the Record-Breaking Dead Cap Number
Tagovailoa signed a massive four-year, $212.4 million contract in July 2024, but the Dolphins are now absorbing a record $99 million in dead cap money over the next two years after releasing him just one year into that deal.
The Dolphins designated the release as a post-June 1 cut, splitting the cap hit across two seasons — $67.4 million hits Miami's books in 2026 with the remaining $32 million charged against 2027.
Tagovailoa is still owed $54 million in guarantees that Miami must pay regardless, meaning he can sign with another team at the league minimum while collecting his massive guaranteed salary from the Dolphins.
Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan Announces the Move
New Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said in a statement: "I recently informed Tua and his representation that we are going to move in a new direction at the quarterback position and will be releasing him after the start of the new league year." Sullivan added that he had great respect for Tagovailoa as a person and player and expressed gratitude for his contributions both on the field and in the community during his six seasons in Miami.
Tagovailoa was benched this season in favor of seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers after throwing for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions across 14 regular-season appearances. Miami finished 7-10 and fired coach Mike McDaniel after his fourth season.
Tua Tagovailoa's Emotional Farewell to Miami
Tagovailoa reacted to the announcement on social media, writing: "From the moment I arrived, you believed in me, supported me, and embraced my family as your own. I was able to marry my wife and welcome both my kids to this world. Wearing this jersey and representing this city has been one of the greatest joys of my life."
He also expressed regret in his statement, writing: "I also carry deep regret that I couldn't get the job done and bring a championship home to this city. Miami deserves that, and I'll always wish I could have delivered it for you."
Tagovailoa finishes as the Dolphins' career leader in passer rating at 96.4 and completion percentage at 68% among quarterbacks with at least 200 attempts. He went 44-32 as Miami's starter and threw for 18,166 yards and 120 touchdowns across six seasons.
Atlanta Falcons Pursuing Tua Tagovailoa After Dolphins Release
Later Monday, the Atlanta Falcons emerged as a team set to pursue Tagovailoa once he is officially released, according to multiple national reports. The Falcons need a quarterback after their own turbulent offseason at the position.
Because Tagovailoa is still owed $54 million guaranteed from Miami, his next team would only need to pay him the league minimum — making him one of the most financially attractive veteran quarterbacks available in the entire 2026 NFL free agency cycle.
Miami Dolphins Replace Tua Tagovailoa With Malik Willis
Malik Willis agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, signing just hours after Tagovailoa's release was announced. Willis, 26, put his name back on the map last season while filling in for an injured Jordan Love with the Green Bay Packers, completing 30 of 35 passes for three touchdowns and zero interceptions in parts of four games.
New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Sullivan both came from the Packers organization, creating immediate familiarity between the new Miami regime and their first major free-agent quarterback signing.
