The Miami Dolphins are trying to carefully navigate their way to a new contract with starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. This week, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had an update on the situation.
Speaking to reporters, McDaniel said that Tagovailoa participated in 7-on-7 drills but not 11-on-11 drills during their recent OTAs and is expected to do the same at the start of training camp. Per NFL Network reporter Cameron Wolfe, McDaniel called the situation “fluid” and that the team will carefully manage his participation in practice during the contract talks.
Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards last year en route to making his first Pro Bowl. But the Dolphins quarterback’s success is seen in some spaces as a side effect of an amazing roster that general manager Chris Grier has painstakingly put together, not a quarterback who is elevating the players around him.
That perception might be influencing the contract negotiations, as the Dolphins hope to keep the price tag down so they can build in other places. Tua, naturally, wants as much money as he can possibly get and is probably advocating for top QB money.
If Miami are forced to give him top five quarterback money, they might have to start getting rid of some of the other players contributing to their success.
It’s a very fine line that the Dolphins are walking right now. But if they don’t get it right, they could find themselves back at square one in very short order.
Which side has the most leverage?
Related: Mike McDaniel Has Honest Comment About Tua Tagovailoa’s Contract Situation