It’s a full-scale house cleaning in Miami, and there’s a huge domino yet to fall.
With the Dolphins reportedly releasing high-priced players Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb, the business of what to do with Tua Tagovailoa comes into immediate focus in South Beach.
Tagovailoa is a candidate to be released if they are unable to find a trade partner for the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout, reporter Jordan Schultz said on Monday.
The team reportedly hopes to trade Tagovailoa, but if that is not possible, the expectation is that he will be released, at which point he can search for another starting NFL job.
With all signs pointing to a Tagovailoa-Dolphins divorce — two seasons after a four-year, $212 million deal for the QB — Miami will have a massive dead cap hit of $67.4 million in 2026, assuming his release will be designated post-June 1.
He will also have a $31.8 million dead cap hit in 2027.
The Dolphins are set for a massive amount of dead cap hits, as Hill and Chubb will combine for $20 million in dead cap space this year if designated for release after June 1, though if the release is effective immediately, they will cost over $40 million combined this year.
Over The Cap projects that the Dolphins already have $97.8 million in dead money on their books, with Tagovailoa’s release or trade still to come.
The Dolphins have just $9.6 million in salary cap space at the time of writing, so Miami will essentially be walking into this season with the roster it has currently, aside from some smaller free agency moves and 2026 NFL Draft picks.
Miami holds the No. 11 overall selection in the first round, No. 43 overall pick and three third-round picks.
New coach Jeff Hafley will have his work cut out for him in the scouting department, as we’ve seen teams turn it around with just one solid draft.
Though the Dolphins will need to pull together their offense, as they only have Quinn Ewers on the roster among quarterbacks if and when they part ways with Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa was benched last season for the final three games in favor of Ewers after having thrown 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions for 2,660 yards.
