Dolphins facing $50 million release question that doesn't involve Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins will have a lot of eyes on them this offseason, with a majority of that attention on what they do with Tua Tagovailoa.

While the $214 million quarterback is owed more than $50 million in 2026, the Dolphins are seriously contemplating cutting him or trading him this offseason.

Bradley Locker of PFF.com poses that a $50-plus million question is the biggest one facing the Dolphins this offseason. But it's not about Tagovailoa. Instead, it's about the other $50 million cut question on offense, in wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Dolphins face $50M Tyreek Hill question

"Turning 32 in March and owed a whopping $51 million against the cap next year, Hill would be a very expensive veteran to keep on the roster," Locker writes.

With such an expensive contract and the brutal injury he's coming off of during the 2025 season, the Dolphins trading or cutting Hill this offseason will be very much in play.

The Dolphins could elect to keep Hill if they want to retain him for one more season, but with such a massive cap hit and the huge issue of Tagovailoa's future, moving on from Hill might be the best path forward.

If the Dolphins do end up cutting him, since most teams wouldn't want to spend capital and money to acquire Hill, the Dolphins would incur a $28 million dead cap charge if he's released before June 1st.

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However, if the Dolphins do cut him with a post-June 1st designation, they will only take on $15 million in dead cap space in 2026, with $35 million in savings.

They would have more dead cap in 2027, but it would spread the damage over a few years and be a much more feasible way of moving on from Hill this offseason.

Such a decision is very much in the cards for the Dolphins. While the massive $99 million decision with Tagovailoa is the biggest one for the Dolphins. What they do with Hill might be the more pressing question they're facing this offseason.

Hill still has some value, even if he's not 100%. But, with such a huge cap charge of $51 million for 2026, the Dolphins might be forced to release Hill to help facilitate the Tagovailoa dead cap hit this offseason.

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