Dolphins Rumors: Tua Tagovailoa Contract Won't Reach Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert Level

The quarterback position dominated the 2020 NFL draft with four signal-callers going in the first round and three going in the top 10, but that doesn't mean they will all be paid the same.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler discussed Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during Sunday's SportsCenter and explained that even though he is in position to land a significant deal, it likely won't match that of fellow 2020 draftees Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert:

"This might be the path of least resistance to get something done because the Dolphins have long considered him a long-term option, but they wanted to see him get healthy. Well, he played a full 17 games last year, 11 wins, 4,600-plus passing yards. So, he's in a good spot. This is a deal that certainly will be at the high caliber of money but might not be in that $55 million range of the Joe Burrows and the Justin Herberts. So, maybe that makes it easier to do. The Dolphins have scaled back their spending big time this offseason in part because they want to pay this guy. It just depends on if they can find a sweet spot on the money."

Burrow, who was the No. 1 overall pick of that draft, agreed to a five-year, $275 million contract with a $40 million signing bonus and $219 million in guarantees with the Cincinnati Bengals, per Spotrac.

Herbert, who was the No. 6 overall pick of that draft, agreed to a five-year $262.5 million contract with a $16.1 million signing bonus and $218.7 million in guarantees with the Los Angeles Chargers, per Spotrac.

Tagovailoa, who was the No. 5 overall pick of that draft, is only signed through the upcoming campaign after the Dolphins exercised the 2024 option on his deal that will pay him $23.2 million in base salary.

As Fowler mentioned, there were some health concerns after he suffered multiple concussions prior to the 2023 campaign.

However, he remained healthy while turning in the best season of his career last year. He completed 69.3 percent of his passes for an NFL-best 4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while leading the Dolphins to the playoffs for the second straight season.

The success in the standings came after Miami surrounded him with weapons such as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and it would make sense if the AFC East team looks to continue building that chemistry since Tagovailoa is just 26 years old.

While he might not make as much as superstars Burrow and Herbert, another excellent season like that will put the Alabama product in line to sign a major deal as he continues to chase a Super Bowl with the Dolphins.