Tua Tagovailoa could quickly be becoming a member of the listing of top-shelf quarterbacks who’ve not too long ago acquired a large contract extension. Miami Dolphins common supervisor Chris Grier mentioned Wednesday the staff plans to talk with Tagovailoa’s agent about an extension this week from the NFL Mix.
Grier is “hopeful” to get a deal executed this offseason, however added these kinds of massive extensions “not often come collectively shortly,” he mentioned via ESPN.
The soon-to-be 26-year-old Tagovailoa is coming off his greatest season to this point. He was named to his first Professional Bowl in 2023 after throwing for a league-high 4,624 yards. Tagovailoa additionally threw a career-high 29 touchdowns whereas main the Dolphins to an 11-6 document.
Numbers apart, 2023 was a giant 12 months for Tagovailoa from a well being standpoint. He did not miss a single sport after a number of head accidents sidelined him for 4 video games in 2022. Tagovailoa added muscle final offseason to assist him endure the trials of taking part in soccer, and it seems just like the exhausting work paid off.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel not too long ago revealed one different cause for Tagovailoa’s success in 2023.
“Reps,” McDaniel mentioned, via the Palm Beach Post. “He had extra reps than he is ever had in his profession, as a result of he performed the complete season. Soccer, there’s a number of issues that may occur. There’s additionally a number of issues you’ll be able to management. I feel among the finest examples of taking management over your profession is what Tua was capable of do by way of coaching and with the ability to expertise all of the various things.
“I imply, shoot, expertise a playoff sport for the primary time in his profession. That was afforded to him as a result of he was capable of lead the staff week in and week out. These are issues that weren’t essentially assumed he was able to doing. However like most issues that Tua has executed in his profession, he is acknowledged that and confirmed doubters unsuitable.”
Tagovailoa is ready to affix reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson and fellow 2020 draft classmates Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert as top-tier quarterbacks who’ve not too long ago acquired extensions. Burrow is at present within the clubhouse because the league’s’ highest-paid participant after he penned a five-year, $275 million extension final offseason.
What would a doable extension for Tagovailoa seem like? He might very properly be on his method to becoming a member of Patrick Mahomes as the one gamers with contracts that exceed $300 million. Tagovailoa’s present projected market worth is a six-year, $302.8 million deal that may pay him $50.5 million yearly, according to Spotrac.
Grier additionally touched on the contract conditions involving offensive deal with Terron Armstead and defensive finish Christian Wilkins. Grier mentioned he plans to meet with Armstead, who’s mulling retirement, previous to the beginning of free company about returning, whereas including that he would “love” to have him again within the discipline.
Concerning Wilkins, Grier didn’t say whether or not or not the franchise tag is an choice if the 2 sides cannot come collectively on a long-term extension. He added that the Dolphins have the sources to make a deal occur.
