Dolphins To Release Tagovailoa At Record £74m Cost

The Miami Dolphins have made a shocking decision to release quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a move that will incur a record dead cap hit of $99.2 million (£74.2 million). Tagovailoa, who has been the team’s starting quarterback since 2020 after being drafted fifth overall, signed a lucrative four-year contract extension just last season, worth $212.4 million (£158.9 million).

This unprecedented decision to part ways with Tagovailoa just two years into his extension marks the highest dead money hit in NFL history, surpassing the previous record held by the Denver Broncos when they released Russell Wilson. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan stated, “We are going to move in a new direction at the quarterback position,” signaling a major shift in the team’s strategy.

Tagovailoa’s journey has been tumultuous, particularly after suffering multiple concussions during the 2022 season, which led him to contemplate retirement. Despite leading the league in passing yards in 2023 and guiding the Dolphins to the playoffs, his performance in 2025 fell short, resulting in him being benched for the final games of the season.

Under new management, including coach Jeff Hafley and Sullivan, the Dolphins are in the midst of a rebuild, having already released key players like wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Sullivan conveyed the team’s commitment to fostering competition and establishing a strong foundation for future success. Tagovailoa’s departure, alongside other significant roster changes, reflects the Dolphins’ intent to reshape their identity as they look forward to the upcoming NFL season.