Three weeks ago, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa spoke with the South Florida media regarding his possible contract extension with the club. At that time, the young signal caller said he was “antsy” to get a deal done and that the “market is the market” regarding the price of a new deal.
On Tuesday, ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington addressed the Tagovailoa contract situation on NFL Live — and for the first time, dumped some cold water on the idea that the deal would be done soon.
“Right now, the Dolphins are not offering the contract that is the market value based on [the Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence] deals that were done. So, if this gets there, it’s just going to require more negotiations and we’re not to panic point just yet. I just think that my optimism earlier has to be slightly scaled back at this point, given all of those factors currently in play.”
Darlington continued on:
“Based on my conversations [Miami’s offers] are not in the Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence ballpark and that, to me, speaks volumes about where the negotiations are right now. Again though — key word — negotiations. We all know — we’ve all been through them — we know that it can change in a minute.”
In May, the Detroit Lions handed their quarterback, Jared Goff, a four-year, $212 million deal that includes $170 million guaranteed. This month, the Jacksonville Jaguars shelled out a five-year deal worth $275 million in new money with $142 million guaranteed at signing and $200 million in total guarantees to their own former number one overall pick, Trevor Lawrence.
Tagovailoa — Miami’s first round selection at number five overall in the 2020 NFL Draft — wants to be compensated for his recent efforts which include leading the league in passing in 2023 with 4,624 yards while playing all 17 regular season games and their lone playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Darlington went on to say that he thinks that Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers will sign an extension with his club first and “that will only further complicate the situation for Tua if it gets to that point.”
The Dolphins may be playing with fire when it comes to their young quarterback, but only time will tell if they’re making the right decision when it comes to the hard-bargain they’re driving with Tua Tagovailoa currently.
