Tua Tagovailoa open to fresh start in 2026: 'That would be dope' Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAY January 5, 2026 at 8:45 PM 2 Tua Tagovailoa's time in South Beach might be coming to a close – and he's seemingly ready for it. The Miami Dolphins' quarterback opened some eyes on Jan. 5 when he welcomed the idea of a playing for a different team next season. "That would be dope," Tagovailoa said via Palm Beach Post's Joe Schad, when asked if he was hoping for a fresh start this offseason. "I would be good with it.
- - Tua Tagovailoa open to fresh start in 2026: 'That would be dope'
Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAY January 5, 2026 at 8:45 PM
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Tua Tagovailoa's time in South Beach might be coming to a close – and he's seemingly ready for it.
The Miami Dolphins' quarterback opened some eyes on Jan. 5 when he welcomed the idea of a playing for a different team next season.
"That would be dope," Tagovailoa said via Palm Beach Post's Joe Schad, when asked if he was hoping for a fresh start this offseason. "I would be good with it."
Reporters clarified that the question was about the idea of a fresh start on a new team and Tagovailoa confirmed that he understood the intent.
Change seems to be the only thing guaranteed in Miami after a disappointing 7-10 season. The Dolphins finished below expectations and have seen their record regress in each of the last three seasons.
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
The team mutually parted ways with general manager Chris Grier on Oct. 31 and rumors about head coach Mike McDaniel's job security have swirled all season long. Now Tagovailoa's future has come into focus.
He was benched following the team's Week 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers after McDaniel made headlines by saying, "Everything is on the table," and later adding the quarterback play was, "not good enough."
At the time of his benching, Tagovailoa led the league in interceptions with 15 in 14 starts. The quarterback struggled in 2025 and eventually took a seat on the bench to allow rookie Quinn Ewers to play for Miami in the final few games.
Tagovailoa is set to carry a $56.4 million cap hit in 2026 and moving on from the quarterback would come with a hefty cap penalty. If he is released prior to June 1, the Dolphins would be hit with $99.2 million in dead cap and also cost the team $42.8 million in cap space, per Spotrac.
A post-June 1 release wouldn't be much better.
Releasing him at that time would bring $67.4 million in dead cap for 2026 and $31.8 million in 2027, while also costing the team $11 million in cap space for 2026.
Trading Tagovailoa remains the best court of action, if the Dolphins can find the right deal.
Given the quarterback's comments and the recent willingness for teams to take on those hefty penalties, Tagovailoa might've played his last down for the Dolphins.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tua Tagovailoa open to possible Dolphins exit: 'Would be good with it'
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: January 06, 2026 at 01:27AM on Source: RED MAG
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