After sustaining his third concussion in just three seasons during Thursday’s 31-10 defeat to the Buffalo Bills, questions are swirling about the future of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Considering the serious head injuries he’s endured over the past two seasons, along with the devastating blow he took against the Bills, many voices are now calling for Tagovailoa to step away from the game. For the sake of his long-term health and well-being, retirement could be a wise choice as concerns for his post-football life grow.
If the 26-year-old quarterback does decide to retire, another critical question is how much money Tua Tagovailoa would still be owed from his recent four-year, $212.4 million contract extension, and what financial obligations the Dolphins would face.
As per Spotrac, Tagovailoa’s contract includes $167 million in injury guarantees, ensuring he is protected in case of significant injuries. Of that amount, $43 million has already been paid out in 2024, leaving the Dolphins on the hook for a substantial sum if he chooses to step away from the game.
If Tua Tagovailoa is medically compelled to retire, he would be entitled to claim the remaining $124 million in guaranteed money from his contract. However, if he chooses to retire despite being medically cleared to continue playing, he would forfeit that amount but could still negotiate an injury settlement to recover some of the funds.
According to Spotrac, if Tagovailoa passes a physical next March when the new league year begins, the Dolphins could release him but would still owe $50 million of his 2025 salary. Additionally, his $54 million salary for 2026 becomes fully guaranteed by March 14, pushing Miami to make a decision before that date.
Cutting him before June 1 would cost the Dolphins $122.6 million in dead cap space, while a post-June 1 cut would reduce that to $83.6 million, both of which could be spread across the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
