Dolphins GM Talks Tua Tagovailoa Contract, Says Team Won’t Draft QB in 1st Round

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVApril 16, 2024

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Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told reporters on Tuesday that negotiations between the team and star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa are ongoing in regards to a contract extension, but didn’t sound particularly rushed regarding the matter.

“When it happens, it happens,” he said. “We’ve had communications with him and I’ll leave those between the organization and his representation. It’s been good. So we’ll just keep working towards it.”

As of now those talks are paused due to the NFL draft. And don’t worry, Miami fans—while Tagovailoa’s rookie contract will run out after the 2024 season, the team plans to focus on positions other than quarterback at the draft.

“I would say that’s not somewhere I’m looking at in the first round,” he told reporters. “It’s not a position we’ve even talked about. There’s some good players, but we’re very happy with Tua and where he is with us.”

In other words, the Dolphins don’t plan on drafting a potential replacement, an indication that a deal will eventually get done.

Given Tagovailoa’s excellent 2023 season (4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 69.3 completion percentage) and a rash of needs elsewhere after departures in free agency, focusing on quarterback would have always been an odd choice at this year’s draft. An eventual Tagovailoa extension is the right course of action for these Dolphins.