NFL insider explains why contract talks between Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins are 'complicated'

The Miami Dolphins have repeatedly said that they are committed to Tua Tagovailoa being their starting quarterback. However, they have still not reached a contract extension with the former Alabama star.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler joined SportsCenter Saturday morning and explained why contract talks between the Dolphins and Tagovailoa are complicated.

“This one’s complicated, because Miami is dedicated to doing it. They want to sign him long-term, they’ve had talks,” Fowler said. “I believe, and my sense is, that they’re at least in the ballpark. But that recent deals from Jared Goff, Trevor Lawrence at $55 million a year does complicate the situation.”

The Lions signed Goff to a four-year, $212 million contract last month, with $170 million guaranteed. Meanwhile Lawrence recently landed a five-year, $275 million deal, which includes $200 million in guaranteed money.

Fowler reports that the Dolphins aren’t in a hurry to reach those figures, but Tua Tagovailoa believes he deserves that kind of money after leading the NFL in passing last season.

Tagovailoa threw for 4,624 yards, with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2023.

“Miami’s not sure if they can get to that high of a number, but that’s the market for a player that showed that he is durable and led the league in passing yards. So he’s produced,” Fowler said. “He believes the market has to be what it is. We’ll see if Miami can bridge the gap. They’ve got six weeks before training camp to try and do it.”

Adam Schefter shares how Trevor Lawrence contract impacts Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa

With training camp on the horizon around the NFL, all eyes remain on the quarterbacks awaiting extensions. That storyline became even more prominent earlier this month when Trevor Lawrence agreed to a five-year, $275 million extension to join Joe Burrow as the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks.

But for other extension-eligible quarterbacks – from Jordan Love to Tua Tagovailoa to Dak Prescott – Lawrence’s deal could mark another step in their negotiations. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that contract could make a league-wide impact.

Schefter specifically pointed to Tagovailoa’s situation with the Miami Dolphins and Love’s spot with the Green Bay Packers as some to watch after Lawrence’s deal came together.

“Listen, I think every one of these quarterbacks that’s awaiting a new deal has taken a look at this contract, and Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars have given them ammunition in their contract talks with teams – whether it’s Dak Prescott in Dallas, who’s on a different level, or Jordan Love or Tua Tagovailoa,” Schefter said on “NFL Live” Thursday. “But if you’re Jordan Love or you’re Tua Tagovailoa, I think those teams were probably saying to those players, ‘Well, we can’t pay you as much as Joe Burrow,’ who is making $55 million a year.

“But now, Trevor Lawrence’s average is $55 million a year, and Jordan Love and Tua Tagovailoa can come back to those teams and say, ‘Well, we’ve accomplished as much as Trevor Lawrence. And therefore, we believe we should be paid like Trevor Lawrence,’ which is at $55 million. So Trevor Lawrence’s deal boosted the argument for Jordan Love and for Tua Tagovailoa.”