In one, ill-advised move to draw contact with Buffalo Bills defender Damar Hamlin, Tua Tagovailoa‘s huge offseason extension went into the rear-view mirror, and his long-term health became a widely debated topic.
The Miami Dolphins quarterback suffered his third concussion in the last two years and the fourth of his football career on Thursday night.
Concerns about Tagovailoa’s future, combined with increased awareness of the effects of CTE, have led some to believe the signal caller should not play again.
It also has yet to be seen whether Tagovailoa will miss any time as he goes through the NFL’s concussion protocol.
A few options remain for the Dolphins and Tagovailoa with his future in doubt so soon after signing a lucrative extension designed to keep him behind center in Miami for at least the next decade.
Tagovailoa suffered his third concussion of his NFL career on Thursday night against Buffalo
A few long-term plans exist for Tagovailoa and his long-term health that can come to fruition
Insurance would cover $49.3million of the $167.1million guaranteed for injury in Tagovailoa’s contract. He would be due the full amount if he is not cleared to play by medical professionals but does not retire, per the Miami Herald.
Of the $167.1million guaranteed, $43million has already been given to Tagovailoa, which is his to keep even if he does not play another down of football.
Should Tagovailoa be medically cleared to return to football, but decide to retire, he would forfeit the remaining $124million on the table, barring him and the team coming to a settlement.
Tagovailoa deciding to retire after being medically cleared is an unlikely scenario due to all the money he would be giving away, especially after he returned to football after suffering two concussions during the 2022 season.
If Tagovailoa is healthy for the 2025 season, and the Dolphins release him, the team would still owe him the $50million he’s due next year. His 2026 salary of $54million becomes guaranteed on March 14, 2025.
Without a major update to Tagovailoa’s health made public in the days following his latest concussion, his short-term condition would narrow Miami’s long-term options.
