The Dolphins begin their organized team activities next week, and that will mark an important (but voluntary) next step in the team’s offseason program. Given the actions of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in recent weeks, it remains to be seen if he will be present. 
The extension-eligible passer has been away from Miami for the “large majority” of the team’s offseason work to date, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports. The Dolphins’ program began one month ago, and Tagovailoa has been seen with the team at times (with his most recent documented participation coming on April 19). The 26-year-old has been a full participant at OTAs and other voluntary workouts in previous offseasons.
Tagovailoa is under contract through 2024, as he is set to play on his fifth-year option. That has him on track to earn $23.17MM, a much lower figure than the one which a multi-year extension will carry. Talks on a monster deal are ongoing, but Jones unsurprisingly confirms Tagovailoa’s absence is believed to be tied to the fact he does not yet have a pact in hand.
The top of the quarterback market surged past $50MM per year last offseason, with four ascending passers (Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts) securing mega-deals which will kick in after their rookie contracts. Jared Goff became the latest signal-caller to secure a massive payday, with the Lions agreeing to a $53MM-per-year deal. Notably, however, that represents Goff’s third NFL contract.
Tagovailoa is three years younger than Goff, though the former’s career has of course featured a number of injury concerns. The 2023 campaign – the fourth of his career – marked the first one in which Tagovailoa played in every game. The former No. 5 pick committed to improving his durability last offseason, and his efforts on that front paid off. Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards while setting career highs in completion percentage (69.3%) and touchdowns passes (29).
Those figures earned the Alabama product a Pro Bowl nod for the first time. They also helped his market value and his chances of landing a long-term Miami investment. As of March, the team did not see an extension as a pressing matter, though, and the Dolphins have certainly been active on a number of other fronts this offseason. The team has made several agent additions along the defensive line following Christian Wilkins‘ departure, and both wideout Jaylen Waddle and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips have had their 2025 fifth-year options picked up.
Each member of the latter pair profiles as a top extension candidate, and safety Jevon Holland (who is entering the final year of his rookie contract) is also in the team’s long-term plans. The franchise tag could be an option for Holland or Tagovailoa next year, but only if negotiations stall out over a long period of time. It will be interesting to see if Tagovailoa is present for OTAs next week, though an absence would only open the door to financial penalties if it extended into mandatory minicamp in June or training camp the following month.