REVEALED: Staggering amount Tua Tagovailoa retirement could cost Miami Dolphins… and team’s $49.3million backup plan
An ill-advised move to contact Buffalo Bills defensive end Damar Hamlin put Tua Tagovailoa’s massive contract extension in the rearview mirror and made his long-term health a hot 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 growing awareness of the effects of CTE, have led some to believe the quarterback should no longer play.
It remains to be seen whether Tagovailoa will miss several games if he goes through the NFL’s concussion protocol.
There are only a few options left for the Dolphins and Tagovailoa as his future is uncertain so soon after signing a lucrative contract extension that should keep him in Miami as a center for at least the next decade.
Tagovailoa suffered the third concussion of his NFL career against Buffalo on Thursday night
There are a few long-term plans for Tagovailoa and his long-term health that could become a reality
The insurance would cover $49.3 million of the $167.1 million guaranteed for injuries in Tagovailoa’s contract. He would be entitled to the full amount if he is not cleared by medical professionals to play but does not retire, according to the Miami Herald.
Of the guaranteed $167.1 million, $43 million has already been given to Tagovailoa. He gets to keep that amount, even if he doesn’t play another game.
If Tagovailoa is medically cleared to return to football but decides to retire, he would forfeit the remaining $124 million on the table unless he and the team reach a settlement.
That Tagovailoa would decide to retire after being medically cleared is unlikely given all the money he would be giving away, especially after returning to football after suffering two concussions in the 2022 season.
If Tagovailoa is healthy for the 2025 season and the Dolphins let him go, the team would still owe him the $50 million next year. His $54 million salary for 2026 becomes guaranteed on March 14, 2025.
If no major update is provided on Tagovailoa’s health following his latest concussion, his short-term conditions will limit Miami’s long-term options.