When will Tua’s contract get done and will it be clean… or messy?
This is the slow time of year when the weather starts getting nice, football OTA’s begin, and the excitement for the upcoming football season is less than 4 months away. Since there generally isn’t much to discuss post-draft even a slightly controversial becomes immediately newsworthy. Naturally, when news hit the internet that Tua was missing some camp practices it became a big topic of conversation. The conversation was ablaze with some angry fans talking about Tua holding out after saying earlier in the year that he wouldn’t. So, what’s the deal? Big deal or no deal?
According to McDaniel, Tua did miss some practice
Tua was present for the first OTA on Monday; however, he was absent on Tuesday’s OTA, but this was because of a previous commitment to play in Nick Sabans’ charity golf tournament. So, take it for whatever you want. Was it a soft skipping of a practice or just a conflicting schedule?
McDaniel said this: “The good news about ‘all’ is it’s very black and white,” McDaniel told reporters. “(Tagovailoa) has been here for offseason activities. He has not been here for offseason activities. He has been both.”
And this: “I think however things play out, as long as we’re communicating and we’re on our Ps and Qs in what we need to get accomplished, then we have a fighting chance. It’s been a good exercise in our relationship this offseason.”
When Mike McDaniel was asked directly if the missed time was contract-related, “I don’t make a habit of speaking for other people’s mouths. I’ll let you ask Tua.”
So, yeah Tua appears to be having a slight contract holdout
The NFL is a business so Tua and the Miami Dolphins organization must do what is in their best interests, whether we like it or not.
Let’s remember that Miami has had a QB carousel since Dan Marino retired and Tua has been the most productive QB Miami has had since Dan Marino. The fact that Miami used a first-round pick on him and that finding a franchise QB isn’t easy makes it a no-brainer that Miami wants to keep Tua in Miami for the long term. However, durability is a legitimate concern for the Dolphins since Tua is only a year removed from two major concussions that had him contemplating retirement. You can also bet with the best pay per head thatthe cherry on top is Tua’s contract extension is likely to be the richest contract in the history of the NFL.
So, it’s fair that Miami wants to strike a deal that will not only keep Tua in Miami but also give them a little protection in case he gets injured again.
The numbers getting thrown around are in the $50 to $57 million a year range. Paying a player that kind of money each season will eat up a nice percentage of a team’s overall cap space, which means less money to spread around to sign other talented players. So, the Dolphins brass is certainly considering this as they negotiate. Patrick Maholmes proved he could lead his team to Super Bowl wins, stay healthy, and doesn’t need the best receivers in the league like Tyreek Hill to win big, so he had all the leverage. Clearly, Tua is not in Mahomes’ category of greatness now–and may never be–but that doesn’t mean he can’t one day lead the Dolphins to a Super Bowl with the proper talent around him. Again it comes back to balancing the contract for both parties.
Goff and soon Lawrence will raise the price tag for Tua’s new deal
Jeff Goff and the Lions just agreed to a 4-year $212 million extension with $170 million guaranteed, which comes to an average of $53 million per year. Goff has similar stats to Tua, but he has won playoff games and even went to a Super Bowl with the Rams. I think despite the difference in post-season experience and success, this is a good reference point for what Miami and Tua should agree to. But, it will take more time, conversations, and Xavien Howard’s money to come due post-June 1st.
So, if you were the Dolphins would you pay to keep Tua in Miami? Or would you let Tua play out another season to see how far he can take this team, and if he can complete another injury-free season?
