Sep 25, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is helped off the field by staff after a apparent injury against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
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With training camp fast approaching, the pressure is mounting for the Miami Dolphins to get a deal done with cornerstone quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The 26-year-old is entering his fifth year with the squad and he is currently looking to put pen to paper on a big-money, long-term deal to secure his future in Miami.
While both parties seem determined to get a deal done, it appears that they aren’t exactly close to agreeing on a number. This could lead to extreme measures for Tagovailoa as he looks to get the money he believes he deserves.
Miami Dolphins News: Will Tua Tagovailoa Hold Out?
Jun 4, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the football during mandatory minicamp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
NFL insider Mike Florio of PFT recently suggested that Tagovailoa might opt to take a drastic approach if the Dolphins continue to resist. This would involve the former No. 5 overall pick holding out on training camp:
“There’s one way for Tua to try to get what he wants. He can refuse to show up for training camp.
“As a player in his fifth-year option. he’d be subject to daily fines of $40,000 — plus a regular-season game check for each preseason game missed ($1.28 million). But those fines can be waived, since he’s still operating under his rookie deal. Still, the amount of the fines likely will be peanuts in comparison to the difference between what he wants and what he can get/what he has,” Florio wrote.
While this does sound extreme, we have seen this many times in the past.
Feb 3, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quaterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) participates in the AFC versus NFC Pro Bowl practice and media day at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Florio acknowledges that such a drastic move would be “out of character” for a guy like Tagovailoa, who “often comes off as deferential and compliant.” Then again, desperate times call for desperate measures, and at some point, Tua will need to make a stance.
As Florio said, this “might be the only way for Tua to get what he wants.”
Feb 4, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; AFC quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) of the Miami Dolphins drops back to pass during the 2024 Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports