Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa facing 'alarming' situation amid benching

The Miami Dolphins, after a Monday Night Football loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15, were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

After the game, Mike McDaniel benched Tua Tagovailoa, effectively deciding to move on from Tagovailoa beyond the 2025 season.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport went into greater detail with this benching and highlighted how it is an "alarming" move for Tagovailoa.

Tua Tagovailoa getting benched is 'alarming' for Dolphins QB

"Alarming for Tua Tagovailoa," Rapoport said. "He is still owed $55 million fully guaranteed for next year. So it is the expectation that Tua has played his final down with the Miami Dolphins."

From @NFLGameDay: #Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is likely to be back in 2026, though Tua Tagovailoa is not. Where does it stand for Miami? pic.twitter.com/H7dxWxc6gQ

With the Dolphins fully expected to move on from Tagovailoa after the 2025 season, the Dolphins' once-franchise quarterback now faces a very daunting situation.

The Dolphins now don't want him on the roster, and with his massive $212 million contract, with $55 million guaranteed in 2026, there likely won't be many teams interested in bringing him in.

Miami could wind up cutting Tagovailoa, but ideally, they are going to try to find a trade partner to limit the dead cap hit as much as possible.

More: Tua Tagovailoa's contract looks like a nightmare for the Dolphins

Most teams won't want to trade for the albatross of a contract that Tagovailoa brings with him. Signing him for the veteran minimum, like what Russell Wilson did after the Denver Broncos cut him, could make sense.

But, this situation overall is a very alarming one for Tagovailoa. After some tough play the last few seasons, not many teams will be jumping at the chance to sign him.

He'll likely be a backup or bridge quarterback going forward, and barring a turnaround seen from players like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Daniel Jones, Tagovailoa is likely going to bounce around the NFL for the rest of his career.

Tagovailoa is facing some major uncertainty going forward, as his status, whether it's on the Dolphins or not, is subject to massive change over the next year.

More Dolphins News:

• Mike McDaniel gives bizarre answer for Dolphins' lack of late-game urgency vs. Steelers
• Dolphins can't keep handing Tua Tagovailoa the QB Job after Steelers loss
• Dolphins playoff picture: Updated chances for Miami to make 2025 NFL postseason after Week 15 loss to Steelers
• Dolphins gave up on their playoff chances with head-scratching 4th quarter vs. Steelers
• Steelers vs. Dolphins final score, results: Rodgers throws two touchdowns, Steelers bully Dolphins to stay atop AFC North