Dolphins ‘pick up the fifth-year option’ on Tua Tagovailoa, despite the QB’s concussion scares

The Miami Dolphins will reportedly exercise the fifth-year option on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s contract.

Despite battling concussion issues last season, the 25-year-old set career-highs in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage and passer rating last season, leading the league in the latter.

And Miami is now ready to reward him by picking up the quarterback’s fifth-year option well before the May 2 deadline, according to ESPN.

Tagovailoa enters the fourth year of his rookie contract in 2023 and has a chance to earn a fully guaranteed $23.4 million in 2024.

Both general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel had publicly committed to Tagovailoa starting for the Dolphins since the season ended, despite suggestions that he should stop playing due to the number of injuries in the game. head that has suffered

The quarterback set career highs for passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage last season.

“I think it’s important to recognize that we have a congruence of interest in the Dolphins and the player, Tua, that both parties really want him to play at a very high level for a long time for the Miami Dolphins,” McDaniel said in February. .

Tagovailoa missed the Pro Bowl in early February because he was still in concussion protocol, which he entered for the second time last season on Dec. 26 after sustaining a concussion during the Dolphins’ loss to the Green Bay Packers. Christmas Day.

He missed the last three games of the regular season, as well as Miami’s wild card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Tagovailoa previously suffered a concussion in a Week 4 loss to Cincinnati on a play that knocked him out and caused him to be stretchered off the field.

That was four days after he was allowed to return to a game against Buffalo after appearing disoriented after a hit.

Many have raised concerns about Tagovailoa’s future in the league following suspicions of three concussions this season with analyst Stephen A Smith stating his NFL career is in jeopardy.

Head coach Mike McDaniel publicly committed to Tagovailoa since the end of the season

Tagovailoa entered concussion protocol for the second time on December 25 against Green Bay

He suffered a concussion against the Bengals after a tackle knocked him out in week 4.

But Grier had been adamant that Tagovailoa’s injury history would not prevent the team from committing to him in 2023.

“It’s not something that makes us afraid to do something long-term with him,” Grier said. “The only thing he’s had, he’s been beaten up, but he always comes back and bounces back and plays hard and performs, very excited for his future.”

The general manager also said the organization does not believe Tagovailoa is at increased risk for concussions in the future, after discussions with doctors and specialists.

Earlier this week, NFL Network host Rich Eisen said he heard rumors that Tom Brady will play again with the Miami Dolphins while in the combine.

Brady, 45, who announced his retirement for the second time, was quick to put those rumors to rest.

NFL Network host Rich Eisen said he heard rumors that Tom Brady would play for Miami again.

Brady, 45, talks about his retirement for the second time this week

The seven-time Super Bowl winner said his family’s newest addition, his 10-year-old daughter Vivian’s new kitten, was taking up too much of his time to consider returning to the grass.

Despite Brady’s insistence, former New England quarterback Scott Zolak, who currently serves as the Patriots’ radio host, didn’t buy it.

He claimed that Brady, coming out of retirement for the second time to ply his trade in Miami, is still on the table.

“Brady can go to Miami,” Zolak said on NBC Sports Boston. I think that is at stake. Yes. I think the possibility of him coming out of retirement is definitely 100 percent up for grabs.