“We Can’t Pay This Guy”: Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa Told to Prove Himself in ‘Final Year’ as Cowboys Expected to Move On From Dak Prescott

When talking quarterbacks, few analysts swing a hotter take than Colin Cowherd. The always-outspoken pundit just unloaded a scorching new take on two high-profile NFL QBs that are sure to set diehards ablaze. Whether you see it as brave truth-telling or just loud ranting, Cowherd’s bold words are adding fuel to the raging debate

Sizing up the futures of Tua Tagovailoa in Miami and Dak Prescott in Dallas, Cowherd questioned if these supposed franchise cornerstones truly deserve long-term commitment. With massive contract decisions looming, the pressure’s on for Tua and Dak to silence the critics – starting with Cowherd’s controversial claims.

Tua Tagovailoa’s future in Miami on blast

In his recent hard-hitting podcast, Cowherd didn’t mince words when putting Tagovailoa’s Dolphins future under the microscope. “We can’t pay this guy,” he bluntly declared about the prospect of Miami inking their young QB to a mega-extension. A harsh indictment from the outspoken pundit after Tua led the league in passing yards 4,624 but still failed to get Miami over the playoff hump.

Cowherd’s scathing take aligns with that of his co-host John Middlekauff, who questioned whether Miami would be wise to pay Tua “a couple hundred million dollars” given his tendency to “crumble like a cookie” in big moments. The criticism comes in on Tua’s up-and-down 2023 campaign that saw him throw for 29 TDs but also toss 14 picks, with many of those coming in late-season stumbles against playoff-caliber foes. Couple that with his career-long durability concerns stemming from past concussion issues, and it’s clear this make-or-break 2024 season will be Tua’s ultimate prove-it audition in the eyes of the Dolphins’ brain trust.

But the doubters aren’t just aimed at Tagovailoa’s future in aqua and orange. Because when it comes to high-profile quarterbacks who may have worn out their welcome, Cowherd sees another big-name gunslinger potentially bagging his bags, too.

Cowboys ready to unload Dak after years of playoff futility?

“There’s no doubt in my mind” declared the former player turned talking head, that the 29-year-old who inked a $160 million deal in 2021 is headed for the open market in 2024. Despite leading the league in 36 touchdown passes just this past season, Dak’s playoff win total in seven years as Dallas’ starter remains a big fat zero – extending an excruciating three-decade Super Bowl drought for America’s Team.

While undeniably a talented passer racking up gaudy regular season stats year after year, the constant playoff face-plants have Cowherd and others questioning whether the gritty but undersized Prescott has the “it” factor to get Dallas over the championship hump. With a potential $40 million cap hit looming if no extension is reached, the Jones’ brain trust may simply decide to cut bait on the QB once adored as an overlooked fourth-round steal.

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So whether it’s Tua getting put on notice in Miami or Dak potentially pulling up stakes, Cowherd’s hot takes spotlight the immense pressures and unforgiving scrutiny constantly bearing down on football’s most vital position.

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