A new update gives the Miami Dolphins a reason to root for their ex-quarterback in Atlanta
The Miami Dolphins made the decision this offseason to move on from Tua Tagovailoa this offseason. A new report gives the team a fresh reason to hope their ex-quarterback does well in Atlanta.
The Miami Dolphins shouldn’t spend too much time looking north to Atlanta to watch their ex-quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. It’s in the past. Water under the bridge. The door has closed — and another has opened. Both for Miami and Tagovailoa.
But the Dolphins do suddenly have an apparent interest in Tagovailoa’s success or failure with the Falcons. As a part of his release this offseason, the Dolphins franchise was on the hook for $54 million in total compensation to Tagovailoa. That money is, sadly, sunk. With the exception of a small percentage — which Miami could recoup after the 2026 season. But if a new report comes true, it could put the Dolphins’ modest refund at risk.
Former Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa reportedly at risk of release if benched
“There is, we’re told, a “strong possibility” Tua will be released if/when he’s replaced. The chance of that happening will increase if he eventually yields not to Penix but to veteran Cooper Rush, who has 16 NFL starts under his belt.
The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.21 million contract. It technically becomes fully guaranteed as CBA-mandated termination pay, if he’s on the Week 1 roster. But with the Dolphins owing him $54 million minus whatever he earns elsewhere in 2026, he could choose to forgo the termination pay from Atlanta — especially since it’s a one-time-only benefit.”
— Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
A Tua release would cost the Miami Dolphins seven figures of salary cap reimbursement
The Dolphins stand to receive a 2027 salary cap credit of $1.215 million for Tagovailoa’s base salary in Atlanta. But if Tagovailoa indeed ends up released after being benched, there’s a very good chance that Miami will lose out on that 2027 cap refund. Tagovailoa will have the option to collect termination pay from the Falcons. But players only get to collect “termination pay” one time in their NFL career — and with Tua already having his $54 million of compensation fully guaranteed by Miami, he would be wise to decline it.
That way, if Tagovailoa signed a new contract next offseason and was then cut again, he could use the termination pay to collect his full salary for that year. Why collect termination pay when you’re already guaranteed what he is this season from Miami? It’d be much better to save it for a year in which he doesn’t have any guaranteed money beyond the base salary.
So Miami should be invested in watching Tagovailoa keep the starting job all season long. If a benching equates to a release, that would be money directly out of the Dolphins’ pocket next offseason. You never root for that! Even if it’s only a small fraction of the sunk cost they’re eating this year.
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