Tua Tagovailoa: Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel 'Went to Bat for Me' on New Contract

Some fans may not be sure whether Tua Tagovailoa is worth his massive new extension, but Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel apparently had no doubts.

Tagovailoa said McDaniel's belief in his quarterback played a pivotal role in getting a deal done.

"Word gets around quick. I don't think he knows that I know, but I've been told from several birdies that are here in the facilities, that are upstairs as well, that [McDaniel] went to bat for me," Tagovailoa told reporters Sunday (10:50 in video). "The day that I went out and practiced 11-on-11, 7-on-7, before we went on that little break, he went to bat for me with our owner. I don't go into details into things I heard were said, but he is what he says."

Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract with the Dolphins on Friday. The deal carries $93.1 million in full guarantees, but from a practical standpoint he's guaranteed around $167.1 million.

The 2025 season will be pivotal in how Tagovailoa's future plays out. He's due a massive $54 million base salary for the 2026 season that fully guarantees at the start of the 2025 league year. It's a virtual certainty he'll be getting that $54 million regardless of how this season plays out.

However, Tagovailoa is also scheduled to have a $68.4 million cap number in 2026. If the Dolphins are satisfied with him as their starting quarterback, they'll either restructure his deal or negotiate a new extension to lower that number. That's basic cap math.

If the Dolphins are unsure whether Tagovailoa is their guy, they could explore a trade or allow him to play out the 2026 season with that massive number.

Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing last season (4,624 yards), but Miami went 1-5 against playoff teams and faltered in the Wild Card Round against the Kansas City Chiefs. Questions about Tagovailoa's ability to excel against elite competition and his health undoubtedly played a factor in the structure of his contract.