With the Miami Dolphins benching Tua Tagovailoa, here are three teams that might go after the quarterback.
Dolphins Bench Tua Tagovailoa
A major move in Miami: the Dolphins are benching QB Tua Tagovailoa and turning to Quinn Ewers as their new starting QB, per sources.
Ewers’ first start comes Sunday vs. the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/lzs2J1EfjP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2025
The Dolphins are making a statement to close out the 2025 season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Dolphins are benching Tagovailoa, a move coach Mike McDaniel later confirmed. Rookie Quin Ewers will start for the Dolphins’ Week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Former New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson will serve as Ewers’ backup.
The news comes a day after McDaniel said Tagovailoa’s play was “not good enough” following the team’s 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When McDaniel arrived in Miami, Tagovailoa was viewed as a declining asset. Under McDaniel’s tutelage, Tagovailoa turned into one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks, as he led the Dolphins to playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023.
Following his 2023 season, in which he led the league in passing yards (4,624), Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.1 million extension.
Since signing the extension, Tagovailoa has regressed as a player. This season, Tagovailoa leads the league in interceptions with 15. Tagovailoa’s health, especially his concussion history, has kept him off the field for extended periods of time.
The benching could symbolically end Tagovailoa’s time in Miami. The Dolphins can release Tagovailoa this offseason, but it will cost an NFL record $99 million dead cap charge.
The Dolphins could spread that charge out if Tagovailoa is designated as a post-June 1 release — cap charge of $67.4 million in 2026 and $31.8 million in 2027.
The Dolphins could also trade Tagovailoa, but they would likely need to attach a draft pick to entice teams to make the move.
Tagovailoa’s salary is $54 million guaranteed in 2026, with $3 million guaranteed for 2027 on March 15, 2026.
3 Teams Who Should Get QB Tua Tagovailoa
"I think it's time to start playing the numbers game in Miami..
Tua Tagovailoa is gonna have a $99M cap charge if the Dolphins decide to move on from him"
Clearly Miami is gonna be moving forward without Tua one way or another" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/5Zp1vxuZU5
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 17, 2025
Remember that most of these teams would not have to pay Tagovailoa substantial money if he’s released. The Dolphins would be on the hook for the majority of Tagovailoa’s salary.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Geno Smith experiment has not gone according to plan.
The Raiders will likely be in the market for a new quarterback this offseason. Las Vegas could be in the running to draft a top quarterback like Fernando Mendoza.
If Vegas does not want to trade up, they could take a flier on Tagovailoa and pair him with a Day 2/3 quarterback.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts will be in the market for a quarterback as Daniel Jones recovers from an Achilles tear.
Tagovailoa could be the perfect bridge quarterback for the 2026 season, and if it works out, they could sign him long-term after the season.
The Colts also play in a dome, which would aid Tagovailoa’s play since he doesn’t thrive in cold weather.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals also have a quarterback problem.
Kyler Murray is out for the rest of the 2025 season, but the team might look to move on from him for 2026.
Tagovailoa could be a bridge quarterback if the Cardinals decide to draft a rookie. This will also depend on how the team feels about Jacoby Brissett, who is under contract for 2026.
