Will the Dolphins Trade Tua Tagovailoa? Latest Update
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s future with the Miami Dolphins is now one of the NFL’s biggest offseason storylines. After a tumultuous 2025 season in which he was benched in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers, Tagovailoa openly expressed openness to a fresh start elsewhere, prompting discussion about whether the Dolphins will trade or move on from a former franchise cornerstone. As Miami recalibrates following a 7-10 record and organizational changes, understanding where Tagovailoa fits into the team’s plans and whether a trade is realistic is crucial heading into 2026.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s future with the Miami Dolphins is now one of the NFL’s biggest offseason storylines. After a tumultuous 2025 season in which the Dolphins benched Tagovailoa in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers, Tagovailoa openly expressed openness to a fresh start elsewhere, prompting discussion about whether the Dolphins will trade or move on from a former franchise cornerstone. As Miami recalibrates following a 7-10 record and organizational changes, understanding where Tagovailoa fits into the team’s plans — and whether a trade is realistic — is crucial heading into 2026.
Tagovailoa’s 2025 Season and Changing Role
Tagovailoa’s 2025 campaign began with promise but ultimately fell short of expectations. Miami benched him late in the season after inconsistent play that included 20 passing touchdowns and a career-high 15 interceptions, a downturn that led to rookie Quinn Ewers taking over as the starter.
🚨 Executives around the NFL believe the Miami Dolphins will attempt to trade Tua Tagovailoa instead of cutting him, and there is a chance he could remain on the roster in 2026. (@JFowlerESPN) #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/YBnSwVY9Iq
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) December 24, 2025
Dolphins Evaluating Trade Path for Tagovailoa
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins can evaluate trade possibilities for Tagovailoa rather than simply keeping him as a backup or starter. Rapoport noted that Miami is “still figuring out the Tua Tagovailoa puzzle” and that part of that evaluation includes testing the market and exploring financial and roster implications of a potential trade.
The reporting suggests that Miami could pursue a pre-June 1 trade, which might help them gain salary cap flexibility and potentially acquire draft assets, but any deal will depend heavily on whether another team is willing to take on Tagovailoa’s sizable contract.
Tagovailoa Open to a Fresh Start
Tagovailoa himself has signaled a willingness to play elsewhere in 2026. During locker clean-out day after the 2025 season, he stated that a fresh start “would be dope” — a clear hint that he’s not opposed to joining a new team if the situation aligns.
Conclusion
The short answer to “Will the Dolphins trade Tua Tagovailoa?” is that Miami is actively exploring options but hasn’t made a definitive decision. Tagovailoa’s openness to a fresh start, combined with financial and performance considerations, has set the stage for a potentially major offseason move.
