The future of Tua Tagovailoa’s football career is a hot topic after he suffered another concussion during a Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills. Given his concussion history and the potential for long-term brain injury, discussions about retirement are understandable. Fans and players alike are weighing in on what the Dolphins quarterback should do.
Retirement seems like the logical choice, but the situation is complicated by the terms of Tagovailoa’s recent contract extension with the Dolphins.
He signed a four-year, $216 million extension this summer, with $167 million guaranteed. Tagovailoa has already reportedly received $43 million of that amount.
The remaining $124 million presents a more complex situation. To receive the full guaranteed amount while retiring, Tagovailoa would need to be medically disqualified from playing. This would likely involve consistently failing concussion protocols and being unable to return to the field.
If he is cleared to play but chooses to retire due to his injury history, he would forfeit the remaining $124 million unless the Dolphins agree to a settlement.
This makes Tagovailoa’s decision far more difficult. While his health should be the top priority, walking away from such a significant amount of money is a challenging choice.
Ultimately, the decision is his to make. Whatever he chooses, everyone should prioritize his long-term health and well-being.