Trevor Lawrence’s blockbuster new contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars has set a precedent that could significantly impact the Miami Dolphins’ negotiations with Tua Tagovailoa. Matching the hefty payday Joe Burrow secured from the Cincinnati Bengals, Lawrence’s deal has essentially set the floor for Tagovailoa’s next contract.
Dolphins enthusiasts hoping the team might negotiate a more team-friendly deal with Tagovailoa are now facing the reality that his contract will likely meet or exceed Burrow’s figures. This comes as both Burrow and Tagovailoa have a comparable number of starts under their belts, despite Burrow’s Super Bowl appearance tipping the scales in his favor from a success standpoint. Both quarterbacks have battled injuries, with Tagovailoa starting 53 games to Burrow’s 52.
Lawrence’s contract has catapulted him to the position of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback with a record-setting five-year $275 million contract, featuring $200 million guaranteed, aligning his annual earnings with Burrow’s at $55 million per season. This sets a dramatic precedent for Tagovailoa’s upcoming deal, especially considering Burrow’s $219 million guaranteed, Deshaun Watson’s $230 million, and Justin Herbert’s $218 million.
As the Dolphins work to secure Tagovailoa’s future with the team, speculation about the terms of his potential contract has intensified. Given the current quarterback contract trends, it’s plausible Tagovailoa’s deal could eclipse those of his peers. Cognitive of cap implications, the Dolphins may aim for a contract that offers a slightly lower annual cap hit, anticipated to be in the vicinity of $52-53 million, possibly compensating with a higher overall value or performance incentives.
Expectations are that Tagovailoa’s guaranteed money will closely align with or surpass the $218/219 million benchmarks set by his cohorts, positioning him among the league’s most secure quarterbacks financially. The anticipated length of the deal is five years, a term Miami is likely to advocate for, allowing them to structure the contract with early guarantees and potential exit points in the latter years.
Regardless of Miami’s hopes for injury clauses, the balance of power in negotiations leans heavily towards Tagovailoa, especially after a 17-game season that quelled concerns over his injury history. It’s become evident that any window for negotiating such clauses at a lower price has now closed.
The expected outcome of these negotiations? A monumental five-year, $280 million contract for Tagovailoa, with $219 million guaranteed, setting a new benchmark for quarterback compensation in the NFL.