The once promising career of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa may be coming to an end.
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter today that the Dolphins are benching Tagovailoa and turning to rookie Quinn Ewers as their new starter.
Tagovailoa threw his NFL-worst 15th interception in the 28-15 loss to the Steelers, which eliminated the Dolphins (6-8) from playoff contention.
Tagovailoa threw two touchdown passes Monday night but both scores came with the game already in hand for Pittsburgh. He also took four sacks in the loss.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Tuesday he was contemplating making the change at quarterback.
“I think the quarterback play last night was not good enough, and so for me, everything’s on the table,” he said.
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.1 million extension in 2024 after he led the NFL in passing yards in 2023. However, he missed a career-high six games last season, and while he has been durable in 2025, his 15 interceptions in 14 games are a career high.
Tagovailoa already is guaranteed $54 million in 2026, and on March 15 next year $3 million of his 2027 salary will become guaranteed.
If the Dolphins were to release him next year, the move would result in a $99 million dead cap charge.
Designating the move as a post-June 1 release would lower that charge to $67.4 million in 2026 and $31.8 million in 2027.