The Tua Tagovailoa era is officially over in Miami.
The Dolphins have told the quarterback that he will be released after the start of the new league year, the team announced Monday.
“On behalf of the Miami Dolphins, I expressed our gratitude for his many contributions, both on the field and in the community, during his six seasons in Miami,” general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said in a statement.
The team is releasing Tagovailoa with a post-June 1 designation, meaning his dead-cap hit — which is an NFL record $99 million — will be split across this season and next, with $67 million coming this year.
Tagovailoa has been the starting QB in Miami since the franchise selected him fifth overall in the 2020 draft.
Over his six seasons, the 28-year-old led the Dolphins to a 44-32 record, but just one playoff appearance — a loss in the 2023 wild-card round.
Injuries also played a key role in Tagovailoa’s demise in Miami, with the lefty playing a full 17-game season just once.
Tagovailoa is also coming off a season in which he was prone to negative plays, throwing a career-high 15 interceptions, took 30 sacks and fumbled eight times.
Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller, both of whom are entering their second seasons, are the QBs remaining on the roster.
The legal tampering period for free agents begins at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT on Monday, while the new league year — when Tagovailoa will be officially released — starts at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT on Wednesday.
“As we move forward, we will be focused on infusing competition across the roster and establishing a strong foundation for this team as we work towards building a sustained winner,” said Sullivan.
