Dolphins have a plan to convince teams to trade for Tua Tagovailoa despite $212M contract

The Miami Dolphins have a major question to address this offseason at the quarterback position. Tua Tagovailoa's future is very much in jeopardy.

New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is likely to bring in a new quarterback, and to do so, moving on from Tagovailoa is a must.

While they're trying to trade him away, how will they convince teams to take on the $212 million QB? Well, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Dolphins GM has a plan that should help facilitate trade this offseason.

How Dolphins will convince teams to trade for Tua Tagovailoa

"Miami is expected to be willing to pay down a portion of Tagovailoa's contract to help facilitate a trade, sources told ESPN, though the money makes it challenging," Schefter reports.

Tagovailoa is not a cheap quarterback, and his $212 million, four-year extension he signed before the 2024 season makes the Dolphins QB a very tricky contract to trade.

He's owed $54 million guaranteed in 2026, and once March 15th rolls around, the Dolphins will owe him an extra $3 million guaranteed for the 2027 season.

Trading him won't be easy, but if the Dolphins eat some of his contract, not forcing the entire deal onto a new team, then the Dolphins would be able to more easily move on from Tagovailoa.

More: Dolphins urged to solve QB dilemma with Tua Tagovailoa's future in Miami

While there might be a team willing to take a chance on Tagovailoa, his massive contract will be a deterrent to any trade offers. But if the Dolphins eat a portion of his contract in a trade, then something could more easily be done.

Doing that is much better than cutting him, which could be on the horizon if a trade isn't completed. He'd cost $99 million to release, and the Dolphins could split that between the next two years, but it doesn't make it any less easy to navigate.

Trading him is the clear best option, and the Dolphins and new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan are ready to take on some of his contract to facilitate a trade.

It's the only way for the Dolphins to realistically trade Tagovailoa this offseason. This report doesn't indicate a trade is likely, but knowing the Dolphins are willing to take on some of his contract is a good starting point in trade talks.

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