The Miami Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa reportedly remain apart in talks for a new deal.
On Tuesday’s NFL Live, ESPN insider Jeff Darlington said Miami’s offer isn’t close to extensions given to Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence. The Detroit Lions signed Goff to a four-year, $134 million deal, and the Jacksonville Jaguars matched Joe Burrow’s record-setting payout by giving Lawrence $275 million over five years.
Darlington cited Tagovailoa saying, “The market is the market” earlier this month.
“Right now, the Dolphins are not offering the contract that is the market value based on those other deals,” Darlington said.
Darlington stressed that negotiations remain ongoing and can rapidly change. He also doesn’t know the precise numbers in talks between the Dolphins and Tagovailoa, but it’ll take more work for the two sides to reach an agreement.
“We’re not to panic-point just yet,” Darlington cautioned. “I just think that my optimism earlier has to be slightly scaled back.”
Based on the current quarterback market, Tagovailoa knows he’s due a substantial raise.
After concerning head injuries derailed his third season, Tagovailoa bounced back to play every game in 2023. He amassed an NFL-leading 4,624 passing yards with a career-high 29 touchdowns and a 101.1 quarterback rating.
Goff and Lawrence are now among 10 quarterbacks with an average annual value of at least $45 million. They’re also two of six passers who have signed a new deal within the past year that pays over $50 million per season, so there’s precedent for Tagovailoa to follow with another major payday.
Related: Tua Tagovailoa Sends Clear Message After Trevor Lawrence Contract Extension