Tua Tagovailoa contract details Miami Dolphins quarterback extension news

The Miami Dolphins quarterback secured a 4-year, $212.4 million contract extension on Friday.

But there is more to know than that.

Here are some details, with help from contract web site Spotrac:

Tua Tagovailoa contract extension details revealed

• This contract contains $93.2 million fully guaranteed at signing. This is about 44 percent of the entire contract, which is not very high compared to some peers. This protects the Dolphins a bit, relative to Tua’s injury history.
• Tua’s cap hit for 2024 has been reduced to only $9.5 million. This frees up money that could be used to sign, say, a guard or a defensive tackle who may become available. Or this could free up money to sign safety Jevon Holland and/or adjust the contract of wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
• The Dolphins are essentially fully committing to Tua for three years. That’s 2024, 2025 and 2026. Technically Miami could move on from Tua before 2027 with a $19.8 million dead cap hit, or 2028, with a $8.4 million cap hit. This protects Miami in the case of something unexpected occurring.
• The cap hits from 2025 to 2027 are $59.4, $63.4 and $45.4 million. That’s an average of about $56 million. For a Pro Bowl quarterback who fits Miami’s system and meshes with head coach Mike McDaniel, that’s quite reasonable.
• There are incentives built in if Tua plays a lot and if Tua wins a lot. There is extra money to be made based on games played. And there is extra money to be made if the Dolphins win playoff games, up to and including $1 million for a Super Bowl win.
• Tua’s deal is 12th in the NFL in this category: average percent of salary cap at sign. That is very helpful to Miami. The cap is going up and Miami should be able to keep a competitive roster alongside Tua.
• This really seems like a fair deal for player and club. Well done, Chris Grier and Brandon Shore of the Miami Dolphins and Ryan Williams and Austin Lyman of Athletes First.

Tua Tagovailoa extension ideal for Miami Dolphins and quarterback

5 reasons why Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins contract is perfect | Schad

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.