Tua Tagovailoa won't sign until Dak Prescott's and Jordan Love's contracts are resolved, says expert

Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa recently reflected on his contract situation, saying: "I'm not blind to the people that are in my position that are getting paid." The quarterback market saw a major shift when the Jacksonville Jaguars handed Trevor Lawrence a massive five-year, $275 million deal, tying him with the Bengals' Joe Burrow as the highest-paid QB in the league.

Michelle Smallmon of ESPN shared her insights on Tua's contract situation with the Dolphins. She pointed out that it's natural for the 24-year-old to seek an extension in the current market. However, she suggested that the delay might be due to the potential for other quarterbacks, like Dak Prescott or Jordan Love, to enter the market and command even higher salaries.

"There will certainly be teams that view him [Tua Tagovailoa] as an upgrade. There will absolutely be teams interested in him. But would it be the same as the other two guys? Not even in the same ballpark," Smallmon noted. She advised the Dolphins to stand firm on their offer, considering the talent surrounding Tua.

Smallmon emphasized the importance of Coach McDaniel's leadership and Tua's recent performance. She believes Tua would be wise to stay in Miami, where the system is tailored to his strengths. "I think the Dolphins need to stand firm here and not give him what he demands or overpay for Tua," she added, highlighting Tua's injury history as a significant factor in the negotiations.

Prescott and Love deals put pressure on Dolphins

Comparing Tua's 2023 stats to Love and Prescott's, Tua leads in ing yards but lacks the playoff heroics of Love and the consistency of Prescott. Jordan Love had a standout second half of the 2023 season, leading the Packers to the playoffs and securing a notable win against the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Prescott, at almost 31, led the league with 36 touchdown es and is nearing the Cowboys' all-time ing record, making him the frontrunner among the three.

Despite the competitive landscape, Tua's teammates are rallying behind him. Running back Raheem Mostert praised Tua, saying: "Tua is very well deserving of the opportunity to get a contract extension. He's worked his tail off... and I've seen nothing but growth and leadership from him. He deserves everything."

The contract negotiations for Tua Tagovailoa are complicated by his injury history and the Dolphins' need to balance guaranteed money. As Michelle Smallmon pointed out, the situation remains fluid, and the outcome is uncertain. Will Tua find his end zone with a new deal, or will the Dolphins' cautious approach delay his payday? In the NFL, even the best plays require a bit of luck.