A challenging predicament awaits the Miami Dolphins. They’re significantly above the salary cap, and prominent players are requesting new deals. This includes their quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is expected to earn in the region of 50 million dollars, fully guaranteed by the U.S. government. The Dolphins have crucial choices to make, with Tagovailoa’s re-signing at Pro Bowl quarterback rates being paramount. They have no alternative but to contract Tagovailoa for the long haul, potentially surpassing a quarter of a billion dollars. Decisions have been made, now the Dolphins must bear the consequences. Here’s why they must. Team Limelight: Seize the Moment.
The current lineup of the Dolphins and their immediate success mentality leaves no space for dilly-dallying or second thoughts, particularly when it pertains to the team’s crucial position: quarterback. The Dolphins, similar to a committed poker player, have poured large amounts into a team intended for imminent success. Letting go of Tua now would be equivalent to altering a cake’s flavor after it was in the oven for 20 minutes, not an enviable task. Like the vows in marriage for better or worse, this phase of Miami Dolphins football is intertwined with Tua, his promising left arm, and the hope that he can avoid injuries, as he victoriously did in the previous season.
click to enlarge. The team under Mike McDaniel has rekindled the supporters’ dreams of restoring the laudable Miami Dolphins days.
Mike McDaniel’s Statements.
Head Coach Mike McDaniel is known to be talkative. Occasionally, discretion is preferable. It’s one such time when he’s negotiating with the franchise’s priciest player, but he seems to have missed the memo. He recently voiced his steadfast faith in Tua at the NFL combine, disclosing his firm belief in his abilities, which has only gotten stronger since their initial meeting. This statement demonstrated the team’s plans. Nevertheless, the public affirmation of their dedication to their quarterback makes it nigh on impossible to reverse the decision.
click to enlarge. Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill prepares for player introductions on November 27, 2022, in Miami Gardens. Tyreek Hill’s Contributions.
Simply put, you can’t invite a top-tier guest for supper, then inform them last-minute that celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay won’t be cooking after all, and takeout is the new plan. This action would lead to a mass exodus, just as Hill would do if a second-string substitute quarterback was brought in as a cost-saving measure. Tyreek Hill’s acquisition signaled the Dolphins’ ambitious plans for a Super Bowl win. The undeniable contribution and rapport between Hill and Tagovailoa have been crucial for the team’s offensive strategy. The 2025 season might mark Hill’s final run with the Dolphins; starting afresh with a new quarterback could risk all they’ve built. Maintaining the rapport between Hill and Tagovailoa is vital. Let the chef remain. Salary Cap Increment.
The NFL’s recent salary cap increase to $255.4 million for 2024 makes Tagovailoa’s re-appointment financially achievable. This move allows for the increasing signing rates of quarterbacks and accommodates the anticipated payout for Tagovailoa. It’s expected that today’s contracts will be relatively affordable in a few years, rendering a long-term investment in Tagovailoa a wise and far-sighted move. Suspicious about a $50 million price tag looking affordable in three years? There were similar doubts when Patrick Mahomes agreed to a $45 million annual salary just a few season closures ago. While it’s the current cost of operations, it could be a smart investment in the future.
click to enlarge. Tua Tagovailoa making a successful pass in a game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020. Photograph by Mark Brown/Getty Images
Tagovailoa’s Capabilities.
The crux of the issue is Tagovailoa’s indisputable proficiency. Is he adequate? Possibly not to everyone! He’ll require substantial assistance to secure a Super Bowl win, not unlike other quarterbacks. Despite grievances about his instability when pressurized and susceptibility to injuries, he’s the best quarterback the Dolphins have secured in 25 years. His leadership capacity could be the catalyst for the resurgence of the seemingly doomed franchise, making plans to economize on his contract illogical. Tagovailoa’s importance to the Dolphins surpasses mere statistics. He’s the pulsating heart and identity of a team on the threshold of self-discovery. Seeing it through to completion is sometimes the best course of action.
