While Tua Tagovailoa was in attendance for the start of Dolphins OTAs, there’s still uncertainty surrounding his extension talks with the organization. We learned recently that the front office had indeed submitted an offer to the quarterback, but the player’s no-show from offseason workouts indicated that the offer was rejected.
[RELATED: Tua Tagovailoa In Attendance For Dolphins’ OTAs; QB Rejected Extension Offer]
Despite both sides expressing interest in speedy negotiations, Tagovailoa is still sitting with only a year remaining on his contract. However, the quarterback did express some optimism in completing a deal while speaking with reporters yesterday.
“Well, I think there’s been a lot of progress at this point,” Tagovailoa said (via Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network). “From where we started, there’s been a lot of progress. Now, you can ask the other question — then why aren’t we seeing an agreement? Well, that’s the tough part about it. That’s why it’s business. That’s why you’ve got one side and the other trying to work to meet in the middle.”
While Tagovailoa described himself as “antsy” as he awaits a new contract, he said he’s not “frustrated” or “concerned.” The QB did acknowledge that he’s more than aware of the rising QB market, including Jared Goff‘s recent contract with the Lions.
“Well, I’ll tell you one thing, the market is the market,” Tagovailoa said (via Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald). “If we didn’t have a market, then none of that would matter, it would just be an organizational thing. It didn’t matter if that guy got paid that because it’s an organizational thing. So that’s what I would say — the market is the market. That’s it.”
Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says there’s “some optimism” that the two sides will agree to a deal and it’s simply “a matter of time.” Rapoport notes that Tagovailoa has done everything he can do to establish himself as a franchise QB, including playing a full season and leading his team to the postseason. The top of the quarterback market surged past $50MM per year last offseason, and Tagovailoa’s attendance at OTAs should signal that the front office is willing to hit that mark.
In terms of on-the-field developments, NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reports that Tua lost between 10 to 15 pounds this offseason. That brings the QB’s playing weight down to around 220 pounds.