NFL Exec Sounds Off on Tua Tagovailoa Trade Rumors, What It Would Take to Deal for Dolphins QB

Teams around the NFL haven't shown any aggression in pursuing a trade for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but one executive explained the parameters that would be required for his acquisition.

While speaking to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the "high-ranking" exec said he "had considered taking on Tagovailoa if the Dolphins would send a first-round pick to take on the freight of his contract."

"It is the type of deal the NFL frowns upon and something that has only been done at that level with Brock Osweiler," Jones added, referring to a 2017 trade between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns.

All signs point to Tagovailoa's time in Miami coming to an end this offseason, but there remains a question as to whether the Dolphins will trade or release him. The lack of interest from the trade market indicates that they will have no choice but to let him go without receiving anything valuable in return, while also incurring a significant financial impact.

"The odds have been overwhelmingly in favor of the Dolphins exercising Tagovailoa's 2026 option at some point 10 days after the start of the league year and then releasing him as a post-June 1 designation," Jones explained. "That will spread the $99 million dead cap hit over two seasons and make Tagovailoa free to sign somewhere on the veteran minimum."

Even if Tagovailoa becomes a free agent, his options are expected to be limited. Jones added, "There are only so many places Tagovailoa can play considering his poor performance in the cold," and said a warm-weather team or one that plays in a dome would be his likely pursuits once he parts ways with the Dolphins.