Dolphins cut Tua Tagovailoa for record $99 million cap hit after brutal season

The Dolphins got $99 million problems and Tua Tagovailoa is the one behind it all.

Miami, as expected, is releasing the former first-round pick with a post-June 1 designation and will incur a record $99 million hit in dead cap space, according to ESPN.

The Dolphins will take on a $67.4 million cap hit in 2026 and a $31.8 million cap hit in 2027 — a total of $99.2 million — and actually lose $11 million in cap space for this season, per Spotrac.

“As we move forward, we will be focused on infusing competition across the roster and establishing a strong foundation for this team as we work towards building a sustained winner,” Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said in a statement released by the team Monday morning.

The veteran quarterback responded to the news by posting an Instagram video thanking the fans and those in the organization for six “unforgettable years.”

“From the moment I arrived, you believed in me, supported me, and embraced my family as your own. I was able to marry my wife and welcome both my kids to this world,” Tagovailoa wrote Monday. “I was able to fortunately allow them to experience life from one I never got to growing up. Wearing this jersey and representing this city has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

“To my teammates and coaches, thank you for the battles, the brotherhood, and the standard of excellence we tried achieving every single day we step foot on that field. I’ve met so many of your families and cherish the friendships I’ve been able to make these last 6 years. The work we put in together, the wins we celebrated, and even the tough moments shaped me not just as a player, but as a man.”

The writing had been on the wall surrounding Tagovailoa’s future in Miami for quite some time, but the Dolphins tried to trade him before moving on.

Teams ultimately did not want to take on his large contract, especially since they knew Miami would probably release him and they could just wait to sign him in free agency.

That forced Miami’s new leadership duo of Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley to outright release the 28-year-old and take on this record salary-cap hit.

This dismissal marks the end of a six-season tenure that began with great promise but instead resulted in the franchise moving on from its general manager, coach and quarterback all within severalmonths.

Miami drafted Tagovailoa with the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, famously ahead of Justin Hebert, and he found his footing in his third season under new coach Mike McDaniel.

Tagoaviloa threw 25 touchdowns to eight interceptions during the 20223 season while leading the Dolphins to the playoffs and did so again the next year while tallying a career-high 29 touchdowns.

Miami went 0-2 in those playoff games, though, although Tagovailoa did not play in the Wild-Card loss to the Bills in the 2022 season.

Those two successful seasons under McDaniel led to the Dolphins extending him on a four-year, $212.4 million contract, which ultimately proved to be bad business.

Tagovailoa did not play nearly as well in 2024 and battled injuries while the Dolphins missed the playoffs, and then produced another mediocre campaign this year in another playoff-less season.

While he stayed healthy and started 14 games, Tagaovailoa went 6-8 in his starts and tossed just 20 touchdowns to 15 interceptions.

The Dolphins ultimately benched him for seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers late in the year, and Tagoaviloa said a fresh start “would be dope.”

“I would be good with it,” he added.

Miami moved on from former general manager Chris Grier during the season and fired Mike McDaniel after the 7-10 campaign, leaving no ties to the quarterback among the coach and general manager.

“As I shared with Tua, I have great respect for the person and player he is,” Sullivan said. “On behalf of the Miami Dolphins, I expressed our gratitude for his many contributions, both on the field and in the community, during his six seasons in Miami.”

Though he did not play well last year, quarterback-needy teams could be interested in Tagovailoa at the veteran’s minimum since the Dolphins are already on the hook for the money owed.