Miami Dolphins rebuild turns brutal as Tua Tagovailoa exit could bring former Pro Bowl QB

The Miami Dolphins appear ready to embrace a difficult reset. Early signs of a long-term rebuild have already surfaced, with the organization parting ways with several established veterans, including Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb. The next major decision could involve Tua Tagovailoa, whose future with the franchise looks increasingly uncertain.

Miami’s quarterback situation shifted late in the 2025 season when the coaching staff removed Tagovailoa from the starting role. Rookie signal-caller Quinn Ewers, selected in the seventh round, was given the opportunity to run the offense but struggled to generate meaningful results.

With the new league year approaching, the Dolphins are widely expected to explore the free-agent market for help under center.

One option gaining attention is Kyler Murray, who is anticipated to become available once his tenure with the Arizona Cardinals officially ends. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback has recently surfaced in discussions about possible landing spots for teams searching for affordable veteran starters.

Tagovailoa’s trajectory in Miami illustrates how quickly fortunes can shift in the NFL. Selected fifth overall in the 2020 draft, he delivered a standout campaign in 2023, leading all quarterbacks with 4,624 passing yards.

Production dipped sharply over the following two seasons, however, leaving the Dolphins prepared to absorb more than $99 million in dead money to move forward without him.

Financial constraints complicate Miami’s next step. Kevin Patra of NFL.com noted the challenge, writing,

“With the Dolphins staring at paying $99.2 million in dead money (likely spread over the next two years) on Tua Tagovailoa’s contract, they need a cheap option to fill the gap.” Patra added that while Murray “might not fit the size profile,” he remains “the best option available.”

Miami Dolphins face difficult quarterback outlook while roster reshaping continues

From a roster-building standpoint, Miami’s path forward carries significant limitations. The financial burden tied to Tagovailoa’s contract restricts flexibility, leaving the front office searching for solutions that will not worsen an already complicated salary cap picture. Ideally, the Dolphins would pursue a younger free-agent quarterback with long-term upside, such as Malik Willis, but budget realities may eliminate that possibility.

Because of those restrictions, a lower-cost veteran option becomes more realistic. The quarterback linked to Miami shares a similar narrative arc to Tagovailoa. Early in his career, the former Cardinals star looked destined to become one of the league’s most dynamic dual-threat players. Injuries combined with instability on offense gradually stalled that momentum.

There is also an argument that Arizona’s offensive environment played a meaningful role in the downturn. In a more stable system with a clearer structure, the quarterback could reestablish himself as a productive starter. 

Meanwhile, roster turnover in Miami has extended beyond the quarterback discussion. Offensive lineman James Daniels recently entered the open market after the team released him during a broader salary cap cleanup. ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz highlighted Daniels as a player worth monitoring.

“The past two seasons for Daniels haven't been good, as he managed to play only four games for the Steelers in 2024 and then got injured in Week 1 of the 2025 season after signing with the Dolphins in the offseason,” Schatz wrote.

Daniels, 28, previously spent four seasons with the Chicago Bears and three with the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing a three-year, $24 million contract with Miami last offseason.

His Dolphins tenure lasted only three snaps before a pectoral injury ended his season. Even so, earlier production remains notable. Daniels recorded a 92.5% pass block win rate in 2023, tied for 24th among qualifying guards, and ranked ninth the previous year with a 94.5% mark.

More Dolphins news:

• Jaylen Waddle reveals he is going nowhere amid trade rumors
• Deebo Samuel linked to Dolphins with two-year, $20 million projected contract
• Tua Tagovailoa has say over how his contract is restructured in a trade
• Jordyn Brooks and Aaron Brewer expected to have extension talks with Dolphins
• De'Von Achane expected to have extension talks with Dolphins