The quarterback carousel around the NFL rarely delivers a storyline quite like this one. Tua Tagovailoa spent the past several seasons as the face of the Miami Dolphins franchise after signing a massive extension in 2024. Now the conversation around the league has shifted toward a very different outcome. Multiple insiders expect the Dolphins to release the quarterback before free agency, which would instantly make him one of the most intriguing veteran options on the market.
That possibility has already triggered movement around the league. Several teams have quietly begun evaluating Tagovailoa as a potential addition, and one of the most surprising names involved in that process is the New York Jets.
Tua Tagovailoa Expected To Be Released Before NFL Free Agency
The situation in Miami has been trending toward a reset for months. After the Dolphins finished the 2025 season with a losing record and missed the playoffs, major changes followed throughout the organization. New leadership arrived in the front office and coaching staff, and the franchise began evaluating every position on the roster.
Tagovailoa sits at the center of that evaluation. The quarterback signed a four-year extension worth more than $212 million in 2024, but the structure of that deal has complicated Miami’s next move. The contract contains a massive amount of guaranteed money that has made it extremely difficult for the team to find another franchise willing to absorb the financial commitment.
Because of that reality, league insiders now expect Miami to release Tagovailoa rather than attempt to move the contract elsewhere. The most likely mechanism is a post June 1 designation that spreads the cap hit across multiple seasons while allowing the organization to reset the roster.
Why Tua Tagovailoa Could Be A Bargain Free Agent
If the Dolphins follow through with a release, the financial dynamic changes dramatically for the rest of the league. Miami would remain responsible for the majority of Tagovailoa’s guaranteed salary, which means another team could sign him to a much smaller deal.
Situations like this have created unusual bargains in the past. A veteran quarterback with a Pro Bowl résumé suddenly becomes available for a short-term contract because his previous team is already paying most of the guaranteed money.
That scenario is what has teams quietly preparing for Tagovailoa’s potential availability. Instead of competing for a quarterback in the $30 million salary range, clubs could explore a much lower-cost deal for a player who has already proven he can lead an explosive offense.
Why The New York Jets Are Monitoring Tua Tagovailoa
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The Jets have spent several seasons searching for stability at quarterback, which explains why they have begun gathering information on Tagovailoa. League reports indicate that New York is among the teams making calls to better understand the quarterback and his situation ahead of free agency.
The interest does not guarantee a signing. The Jets are evaluating multiple options as they attempt to rebuild the position after another turbulent year under center. However, the possibility of acquiring a former Pro Bowl quarterback on a low-risk contract is naturally appealing.
Tagovailoa has already demonstrated what he can do when surrounded by the right system. In 2023 he led the NFL in passing yards while directing one of the league’s most explosive offenses. That version of the quarterback still intrigues teams looking for a veteran presence capable of stabilizing an offense.
The Jets also have an eye on Kyler Murray.
Tua Tagovailoa Dolphins Exit Would Create A Strange AFC East Scenario
If Tagovailoa becomes a free agent as expected, one unusual wrinkle immediately appears. The Dolphins would have no control over where he signs next, even if the destination happens to be within the same division.
That possibility has already fueled speculation about the Jets. New York has faced Tagovailoa several times over the past few seasons, and the quarterback has produced some of the best games of his career against AFC East opponents.
The idea of him returning to MetLife Stadium wearing a different uniform would be one of the more bizarre twists of the upcoming offseason. For now, everything hinges on Miami’s final decision. If the Dolphins move forward with the expected release, Tagovailoa will quickly become one of the most fascinating free agents available anywhere in the league.
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