Five quarterback trade targets to know for the Miami Dolphins as a Tua Tagovailoa split inches closer

Five quarterbacks to know for the Dolphins.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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Oct 24, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) celebrates after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws an interception during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.
Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

We’re getting down the last days of speculation for the 2026 NFL offseason calendar.

In just eight days, the NFL’s negotiating window for free agency will begin. In 10 days, the league year will open and teams will release a slew of players as designated Post-June 1st cuts. For the Miami Dolphins, that chopping block will include Bradley Chubb. It could also include QB Tua Tagovailoa. Miami’s pivot at quarterback is going to be a fascinating storyline this fall. Veteran quarterback Malik Willis is an obvious name who has been tied extensively to the Dolphins. But what if the cash totals go where Miami isn’t willing to go? Here are five potential quarterback pivots to know as trade targets for the Dolphins.

Five quarterback trade targets to know for the Miami Dolphins this offseason

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) exits the field after losing 24-17 to the New York Jets in their home opener at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sept. 15, 2024 Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Quarterback Will Levis – Tennessee Titans

Levis missed all of 2025 with a throwing shoulder injury after the Titans replaced him with No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward. His peak as a player in the last five seasons came during his 2021 campaign with the Kentucky Wildcats. His offensive coordinator that season was now-Jaguars head coach Liam Coen.

Levis is entering into the final year of his rookie contract and owed $2.051 million in compensation. He could, in theory, be available in a late-round pick swap thanks to changes at both GM and head coach from when Levis arrived with the team.

Oct 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) practices against the New Orleans Saints before the game at Soldier Field.
Oct 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) practices against the New Orleans Saints before the game at Soldier Field. Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Quarterback Tyson Bagent – Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears certainly spent time this past week in Indianapolis talking about Tyson Bagent as if he was possibly leaving. He’s a fascinating option because he brings multiple years of roster control at low cash flow, has looked increasingly good in his limited experience (mostly in the preseason), and is the ultimately small-school profile who may have benefitted from years of development in the NFL and under Ben Johnson.

Bagent is owed $4.25 million in both 2026 and 2027.

Aug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) scrambles away from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Kyron Johnson (53) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports
Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Davis Mills – Houston Texans

Mills has experience with new Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. That’s the good news. The bad news with Mills is that any further you press than that, you find less reasons to be excited about this option.

He’s owed $6.3 million in cash in 2026. His play under Slowik (in less than 100 pass attempts) was modest at best between 2023 and 2024. And in his playing time this season, including three starts, Mills completed just 57% of his passes and averaged 151 yards a game.

Jan 5, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) drops back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Quarterback Spencer Rattler – New Orleans Saints

485 career pass attempts for Rattler is approximately 50% more attempts than Malik Willis and Tyson Bagent have in their NFL careers combined. It’s 135 more than Anthony Richardson in his pro career. And there’s some promise amid those pass attempts, too.

Rattler took some steps forward in mitigating negative plays in 2026 and he’ll also come with two years of player control on his rookie contract. He’s owed $2.26 million in the next two seasons combined; that’s nearly the same as Levis is owed this season, one half of what Bagent is owed in each of the next two seasons, and one third of what Davis Mills is owed in 2026.

The Saints appear all-in on Tyler Shough, so why not see if you can pry Rattler loose?

Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up prior to the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium.© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Quarterback Mac Jones – San Francisco 49ers

This one sounds like a long-shot. The reports earlier this offseason indicated that the 49ers had no intentions of moving Mac Jones. But as Adam Schefter said when he reported that detail, “never say never”. It likely would require a “Godfather offer” for the 49ers to say yes to moving Jones. But he’s played in the same family of offense (2025 in San Francisco) as Miami has, he’s been a primary starter, and is owed $3.25 million for 2026.

Do the Dolphins have the capacity to make a Godfather offer? I doubt it. But Jones is worth acknowledging as probably the most attractive trade target at quarterback this offseason.

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