David Bridges
Since being chosen with the No. 5 total decide within the 2020 NFL Draft, former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has skilled an uneven begin to his profession however appeared to flourish beneath coach Mike McDaniel in 2022. The 26-year-old demonstrated the potential to be Miami’s first franchise quarterback since Dan Marino.
Nonetheless, simply two video games into the 2024 season, his profession is now in query. Tagovailoa sustained a concussion throughout Miami’s loss to the Buffalo Payments on Thursday, prompting discussions about whether or not he ought to take into account retirement.
Right here’s all the things we find out about how the subject of retirement impacts his contract and what the remainder of his season with the group may appear like.
A Look Inside Tagovailoa’s Contract
This offseason, Dolphins basic supervisor Chris Grier rewarded Tagovailoa’s enhancements with a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension. Of this, $167.1 million is assured, with roughly $42 million already paid out this yr.
In keeping with Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac, if Tagovailoa is cleared to play however opts to retire, he would forfeit the remaining $124 million except he negotiates a settlement to get well it. Nonetheless, if he’s pressured to retire resulting from medical causes, he can be entitled to that $124 million.
Ginnitti famous on X, “The opposite facet of this equation will get somewhat harder. If Tua passes a bodily subsequent March, the Dolphins may launch him, with solely his $50 million of 2025 compensation remaining on the books.”
He added that the $54 million the Dolphins owe Tagovailoa for 2026 will change into assured on March 14. Releasing him after June would lead to $83.6 million in lifeless cap over the ultimate two years of his contract.
Ginnitti commented, “My assumption is that gamers need to play. It’s all they’ve executed in life thus far. Regardless of this being the fourth main head damage, I might guess that Tua shall be cleared by subsequent March. This example places stress on the Dolphins to both transfer ahead (figuring out that one other $54 million will change into assured) or launch him. An alternative choice may very well be renegotiating the contract to supply the group with extra safety if Tua desires to proceed his profession.”
Has Tagovailoa Thought of Retirement?
Final yr, Tagovailoa revealed to reporters that he had thought-about retiring after experiencing a collection of concussions in 2022.
“I thought-about it for a time, having sat down with my household, having sat down with my spouse and having these sorts of conversations,” he stated. “However, actually, it will be laborious for me to stroll away from this sport. With how previous I’m; with my son — I at all times dreamed of enjoying so long as I may, to the place my son knew precisely what he was watching his dad do.”
Tagovailoa added, “It’s my well being. It’s my physique. I really feel like that is what’s greatest for me and my household. I really like the sport of soccer. If I didn’t, I might have stop a very long time in the past.”
Has Anybody Else Skilled a Related Scenario?
Ginnitti informed Entrance Workplace Sports activities that no participant with a contract like Tagovailoa’s has confronted a state of affairs fairly like this earlier than. The closest comparability is Andrew Luck, who retired moderately than signing a considerable new deal however nonetheless walked away with over $16 million from the Colts.
Luck, the previous quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, retired from the NFL unexpectedly in August 2019. His resolution got here after coping with a collection of accidents and setbacks over time, together with a very troublesome calf-ankle damage that had plagued him through the 2018 season and lingered into 2019.
Upon his retirement, Luck walked away from a considerable amount of cash. Nonetheless, his resolution—pushed by the bodily and emotional toll of fixed rehabilitation and accidents—sparked discussions about participant well being, the pressures {of professional} sports activities, and the broader psychological and bodily challenges athletes face.
Cameron Steel
Clara Hastings
