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USA Today via Reuters
Dec 3, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) stands on the field during warm up prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-12-03T220948Z_2086677291_MT1USATODAY22028770_RTRMADP_3_NFL-MIAMI-DOLPHINS-AT-WASHINGTON-COMMANDERS.jpg?width=600)
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 3, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) stands on the field during warm up prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
“I’m not blind to the people that are in my position that are getting paid,” Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa said, reflecting on his contract situation. The Quarterback market just got a major jolt after Jacksonville Jaguars handed Trevor Lawrence a jaw-dropping five-year, $275 million deal, making him the joint highest-paid QB in the league alongside the Bengals’ Joe Burrow. Now, every signal-caller in the league is itching for a piece of the pie. With Dak Prescott and Jordan Love, all watching closely, the ESPN reporter has a strong word of advice for the Dolphins.
Speaking on ESPN’s UNSPORTSMANLIKE, on the 24th of July, Michelle Smallmon gave her two cents on the current contract situation of Tua at the Dolphins. She noted that, in the current market, it’s expected for the 24-year-old to seek an extension. But she hinted that the delay might be due to the quarterback shuffle. According to her theory, if Prescott or Love hits the market, their stock could soar higher than a Hail Mary pass in the last seconds. Michelle quipped, “There will certainly be teams that view him [Tua Tagovailoa] as an upgrade. There will absolutely be teams interested in him. But would it be the same as the other two guys? Not even in the same ballpark. If I’m the Dolphins, I’m going to have my number and stand firm on it because you look at all the weapons around. ”
The Dolphins have a different leverage point with Tua Tagovailoa.@msmallmon via @UnSportsESPN pic.twitter.com/BfG3jMXBRF
— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) July 24, 2024
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Polls of the day
Poll 1 of 5
Do you think Jordan Love and Dak Prescott are the main reasons for Tua Tagovailoa's contract delay?
Absolutely
Maybe
Not at all
Who cares?
Do you agree with Paul Finebaum's harsh criticism of Ryan Day?
Absolutely
Not at all
Somewhat
No opinion
Whats your Perspective on:
Are Jordan Love and Dak Prescott really influencing Tua's contract talks? What's your take?
Have an interesting take?
Who do you think had the biggest influence on DeAndre Moore Jr.'s football career?
His father
His mother
His coaches
His teammates
Do you agree with Ed Kelce's advice for Jason Kelce to avoid coaching?
Yes, family comes first
No, he should follow his passion
Undecided
What’s in the Dolphins’ playbook? According to the ESPN reporter, it’s all about Coach McDaniel steering the ship and guiding Tua on a winning streak. This is what is giving the Phins a serious negotiating muscle. Michelle further added that the 24-year-old signal-caller would be naïve to look for greener pastures elsewhere. First, with the system built around him in Miami. Second, his injury record does not put up a strong case for him. Michelle said, “I think the Dolphins need to stand firm here and not give him or what he demands or overpay for Tua.”
Without drawing assumptions based on ‘he said’, ‘she said’, let’s compare the 2023 stats of Tua to that of Love and Prescott.
Tua Tagovailoa | 4,624 | 29 | 14 | 69.3% | 74 | 0 |
Jordan Love | 4,159 | 32 | 11 | 64.1% | 247 | 4 |
Dak Prescott | 4,516 | 36 | 9 | 69.5% | 242 | 2 |
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Do these numbers paint a vivid picture in the reflection of the Dolphins delaying the contract? Tua Tagovailoa’s certainly winning the game of passing yards against the two. But Love and Prescott have proved it when it has mattered the most.
What’s your perspective on:
Are Jordan Love and Dak Prescott really influencing Tua's contract talks? What's your take?
Have an interesting take?
The Packers signal-caller’s 2023 season was a wild ride with a spectacular finish. Love started slow, but the second half? He led the Packers to the playoffs and scored a big win against the Cowboys as a seven-point underdog. His playoff heroics are something Tua is still chasing. The Cowboys signal-caller, on the other hand, is a seasoned vet. About to be 31 on the 29th of July, he’s fresh off a year with a league-leading 36 touchdown passes. He’s also closing in on the Cowboys’ all-time passing record. So, there’s no doubt that Prescott is leading this three-horse race.
This is what Michelle put to notice, as well. With all the focus on Love and Prescott after new deals at their franchises, Tua’s demands might go under the radar. But does this mean he is not deserving of a new deal altogether?
Tua Tagovailoa deserves ‘everything’, says teammate
NFL insider Adam Schefter recently hinted that the Dolphins’ jersey number 1’s contract talks are still in the red zone with no end zone in sight. Meanwhile, Dolphins’ running back Raheem Mostert is making a touchdown call for Tua’s extension.
“Tua is very well deserving of the opportunity to get a contract extension,” Mostert said. “He’s worked his tail off, especially since I’ve started playing with him. I’ve seen nothing but growth and the leadership that he portrays. One of the best, if not the best, leader in the locker room and for the organization. So with that being said, I truly believe that he deserves everything.”
Despite Mostert’s high praise, the numbers game remains tricky. Tua’s deal might hit around $50 million per season, but his injury history could turn this negotiation into a tough fourth-and-long situation. The Dolphins’ offer might depend on the amount of guaranteed money they are willing to stake. Looping the whole situation back to what Michelle pointed out.
As the clock ticks on this negotiation, will Tua Tagovailoa find his end zone? Or will the Dolphins’ cautious play call delay his big payday? In the NFL, even the best plays need a little luck.
Debate
Are Jordan Love and Dak Prescott really influencing Tua's contract talks? What's your take?