The Miami Dolphins are one of numerous NFL teams that underwent coaching changes after the latest season ended, and speculation has surfaced that a quarterback change might also benefit them.
After a 7-10 season in which they were third in the AFC East and didn’t qualify for the playoffs, the team moved on from Mike McDaniel as head coach. To replace him, they hired Jeff Hafley, who Miami’s new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, handpicked after they worked together in Green Bay.
Tua Tagovailoa has remained the team’s choice at quarterback since they drafted him fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, he hasn’t brought them very deep into the postseason, and may be interested in a trade out of Miami for a fresh start in the league.
Sullivan also suggested that the team will likely move on from Tagovailoa as they restructure. A recent report linked a surprising trade destination for the 2017 CFP National Champion, as the Dolphins are willing to pay part of his salary to make a deal more enticing for a suitor.
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Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton suggested that Tagovailoa could make good sense for the Atlanta Falcons to acquire in a deal. The Falcons have Michael Penix Jr. as their star quarterback, who is still in the rehabilitation process for the partially torn ACL he suffered in Week 1.
While Penix Jr. has indicated he will be ready for the start of the 2026 NFL season, Moton contends that trading for Tagovailoa would give Atlanta a Pro Bowl-level quarterback at a discount.
Kirk Cousins was Penix Jr.’s backup throughout the season. Although Moton also suggests the team could re-sign Cousins for less money, he believes Tagovailoa is a significant upgrade.
The team also has a brand new coach in former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, and the veteran QB could help get things off to a good start as Atlanta looks to turn things around.
As it stands, Tagovailoa has a guaranteed $54 million on his contract this year. The 27-year-old threw for 2,660 yards and 20 touchdowns, along with 15 interceptions, in the 14 games he played.
Despite his history of concussions, he could still provide the Falcons with a reliable and capable quarterback just in case Penix Jr. can’t perform for them as necessary.
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