ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques reports the Miami Dolphins will release their longstanding quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, after the start of the new league year [March 11 at 4:00 PM ET]. The move will result in an NFL record $99M in dead money against the salary cap.
According to Spotrac, the 28-year-old signal caller signed a four-year contract worth $212M with Miami in 2024, which included a $42M signing bonus and $167M in guaranteed money. For the 2026 season, the quarterback was projected to earn a base salary of $39M, a $15M signing bonus, and a $250,000 workout bonus, while carrying a cap hit of $56M and a dead cap value of $99M. As of this publication, his career earnings are $124M.
This blockbuster move leaves Tagovailoa with three landing spots: the Atlanta Falcons, the Minnesota Vikings, and the New York Jets. For now, it’s the QB room with the expected official release of $100M backup Kirk Cousins.
Falcons projected QB Tua Tagovailoa cost Miami $99M in dead money
A week before Tagovailoa’s blockbuster release announcement, ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicted that it would happen. Miami tried to negotiate trade talks with other NFL teams, but Graziano was skeptical.
He was expecting the Dolphins to release the QB by the third day of the league year [when $3M of his 2027 salary would be fully guaranteed].
He predicted Miami would designate him as a post-June 1 release to help defray $99.2M in dead money. They released him two days before the start of the league year. This move cost Miami an NFL-record $99.2M in dead money.
The Dolphins told NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the signal-caller’s release would be designated post-June 1, giving the franchise the opportunity to split the dead money over two years: $67.4M dead hit in 2026 and $31.8M dead hit in 2027.
Now that he’s been released two days prior. This gives the Atlanta Falcons a green signal in case they want to sign him as backup.
Watch for Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in Atlanta Falcons
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler’s notebook contains, “Something an NFL head coach said to me, unsolicited: Watch for Tua in Atlanta.” The Falcons are set to release Kirk Cousins on the first day of the new league year, GM Ian Cunningham confirmed in February at the NFL Combine. Cousins is now an unrestricted free agent.
Anyhow, this leaves an empty space for a quarterback looking to revamp his image after a 15-interceptions season.
Having played for the same team for six seasons, he carries extensive experience. If he brings his lessons to a team needing to revamp its 8-9 record, their shared goals could turn the 2026 season into a year of redemption.
But what would be his role there?
Tua Tagovailoa could become a bridge quarterback for Michael Penix Jr in Atlanta
Heavy Sports’ Shane Shoemaker reports Atlanta could be looking for a backup to Michael Penix Jr. or an eventual replacement, even if that comes on a short-term deal. Penix is currently rehabbing from ACL surgery.
As per his recovery timeline, the 25-year-old Indiana alumnus is projected to return by Week 1 of the 2026 season. If he is not cleared, the Dolphins QB can serve as a bridge quarterback and play the first few games in place of Penix, then, when the 25 YO signal caller is cleared, he can step in and take over the starter QB’s role.
CBS Sports’ John Breech reports that Penix is left-handed and so is Tagovailoa. So, bringing in another left-hander for a QB competition would be a plus for the Falcons. They would not have to make any major changes on the offensive side.
Kevin Stefanski may decide who the starting quarterback will be for the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta’s President of Football, Matt Ryan, told CBS Sports that new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who coached the Cleveland Browns in 2025, would be choosing the starting quarterback for 2026.
“Kevin’s responsibility is to be the head coach of the football team, and he’s going to let you know who our starters are and who our starters are not. It’s not my place to go in there,” Ryan said during Super Bowl week. So, if they sign Tagovailoa, Stefanski may have to decide between Penix and the Miami QB.
The Alabama alumnus recorded 2,660 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in the 2025 season. He has one Pro Bowl selection [2023].
What remains to be seen is whether the Falcons sign him…
