Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa open to fresh start elsewhere after disappointing season: 'That would be dope'

Tua Tagovailoa appears to beryllium acceptable to determination connected from the Miami Dolphins – a feeling that seems communal betwixt the 2 sides. 

Tagovailoa was benched for the last 3 games of the play owed to mediocre performance. A time aft the Dolphins’ play ended with a 38-10 nonaccomplishment to part rival New England, the sixth-year signal-caller appeared unfastened to the thought of a "fresh start." 

Mike McDaniel speaks with Miami Dolphins backmost Tua Tagovailoa (1) successful the 4th fourth of a crippled against the Buffalo Bills astatine Hard Rock Stadium connected Sept. 25, 2022, successful Miami Gardens, Florida.  (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

"That would beryllium dope. I would beryllium bully with it," Tagovailoa said Monday, according to The Palm Beach Post, erstwhile asked specifically if helium was "hoping for a caller start." 

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When asked by different newsman if helium understood "fresh start" arsenic playing "elsewhere," Tagovailoa reportedly confirmed it.

The remarks came the aforesaid time that caput manager Mike McDaniel confirmed that the squad would beryllium approaching the 2025-2026 play with a competitory mindset for the position. 

"In 2026, I deliberation determination volition beryllium contention for our starting quarterback. What that is and however that looks, there’s a batch that remains to beryllium seen. It’s the astir important presumption connected the shot field, and you person to marque definite you bash everything imaginable to get the champion idiosyncratic retired determination connected the field."

Miami Dolphins backmost Tua Tagovailoa runs disconnected the tract during the archetypal fractional of an NFL shot crippled against the New England Patriots successful Foxborough, Massachusetts, connected Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

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"Who that is – whether they’re in-house oregon determination else, that’s thing that we’ll beryllium highly diligent on," helium continued. "But I cognize determination volition beryllium contention for those reins. That overmuch I bash know."

Tagovailoa threw for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns this season, but helium struggled with accuracy and mobility, throwing a career-high of 15 interceptions. His mediocre show comes conscionable 1 play aft signing a four-year, $212.4 cardinal declaration hold successful July 2024.

Miami Dolphins backmost Tua Tagovailoa speaks during a property league aft an NFL shot crippled against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, successful Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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The Dolphins look a superior determination regarding Tagovailoa, arsenic releasing him adjacent twelvemonth would effect successful a $99 cardinal dormant headdress charge. If the determination is designated arsenic a post-June 1 release, those charges would beryllium divided implicit 2 years, with $67.4 cardinal allocated to the 2026 headdress and $31.8 cardinal successful 2027.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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