Dolphins Should Strike Now on Trade Offer for $242.5 Million QB

Miami to Start Tyler Huntley Against Patriots

The Miami Dolphins are sticking with quarterback Tyler Huntley against the New England Patriots this weekend, but the former Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowler is hardly a long-term answer in the absence of regular starter Tua Tagovailoa.

Tagovailoa is likely to return at some point, and that point could be this year — even sooner rather than later. But after three confirmed concussions during his NFL career and strong circumstantial evidence that he has suffered more, Tagovailoa may be merely one hit away from exiting the gridiron for good.

Enter Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Wilson was an eight-time Pro Bowler with the Seattle Seahawks before a trade in March 2022 sent him to the Denver Broncos. Less than six months later, Wilson inked a five-year extension worth $242.5 million.

Sep 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson.

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Despite throwing for more than 3,000 yards in both of his campaigns in Colorado, which included a combined 42 TDs and 19 INTs, the Broncos chose to release Wilson rather than allow him to play out his contract.

That didn’t get Denver off the hook for Wilson’s salary, as the team is paying him nearly $38 million to play for Pittsburgh this year. The Steelers, meanwhile, are paying the balance of what he’s owed to the tune of the league minimum of just $1.2 million.

That’s an incredible bargain any way you slice it, and it would have been an even better deal if Wilson had started for Pittsburgh in Week 1 and beyond, which was the original plan. However, a calf injury derailed that outcome and Justin Fields (3-1) has since stolen the position.

And while that is a disappointment for Pittsburgh in some sense of the word, it also creates an opportunity both for the Steelers and some QB-needy team — such as the Dolphins, potentially.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

(Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

“It has to be Russell Wilson, right?” ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote on Wednesday, October 2, of the “most disappointing offseason addition” thus far in 2024. “He hasn’t even played for the Steelers, and the way Justin Fields is coming along, he might not! Pittsburgh was hailed as shrewd for signing Wilson on a minimum contract, and sure, it was low risk. But it has also yielded no reward so far.”

That doesn’t mean that Wilson’s presence on the roster can’t yield something meaningful, however.

Wilson’s trade value at an approximately $39 million salary in Denver was non-existent — negative even.

But now the Super Bowl-winning QB, who turns 36 years old later this season, could bring back a Day 3 draft pick in a deal — or maybe even a late Day 2 selection next spring from the right team.

Miami may not be that team just yet, at least not in the mind of its coaching staff and front office, even if it should be. But the Dolphins are 1-3 and heading to Foxborough for a road game against one of the NFL’s worst teams this weekend.

It’s going to be difficult for head coach Mike McDaniel and company to avoid a move under center if things go badly on Sunday, and striking while the iron is hot on Wilson and while Fields remains healthy makes considerable sense.