Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is nearing the end of his rookie contract, as he’s currently set to play on the fifth-year option in 2024.
However, both the team and the player have expressed interest in an extension in the near future.
What could a deal between the two sides look like before the new season starts?
Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti recently put together projections for quarterback extensions that could happen this offseason, and he projects that the Dolphins will give Tagovailoa a four-year extension worth $220 million with $105 million guaranteed at signing.
While the numbers may be eye-popping, that’s what the quarterback market has turned into.
Looking at Over the Cap, $220 million in total value would be 10th for quarterbacks if signed right now. The $105 million in full guarantees would be the seventh-most at the position. That money is only going to go up, as Ginnitti projects Dak Prescott to get $60 million annually.
Tagovailoa is coming off of the best season of his four-year professional career. He was healthy enough to start 17 regular-season contests and the team’s lone playoff game. The 25-year-old recorded career highs in completion percentage (69.3%), passing yards (4,624 – which led the league) and touchdowns (29).
No matter what the number comes in, there will certainly be those who say it’s too much, but quarterback contracts have ballooned along with the salary cap. All we know right now is that there’s a strong likelihood of a deal getting done as the two teams work for an agreement.