The Miami Dolphins certainly have a big decision looming on how much to commit to their starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on a contract extension. Tagovailoa will be playing on his fifth-year rookie option this fall unless the two sides can reach an agreement to an extension this offseason.
One of Tagovailoa's former teammates has a pretty high belief in his value.
Former Miami and current Las Vegas Raiders DT Christian Wilkins went on the Tidal League podcast with Jacksonville Jaguars DL Arik Armstead, and he responded to a question about whether Tagovailoa is just a system quarterback.
"I really had a front row seat to Tua, his growth, his development as a player, as a teammate, as a leader. All of that. He came in the year after I was drafted and everything. So, I was able to see his whole process, and everything like that, and it's just been cool to watch. Coming in, I feel like in a way we had similar stories. He was obviously highly successful at Alabama. National championships, all of that good stuff. So now you come into the league, and it's like, 'alright, now what? This ain't college no more.' That kind of thing.
"So, obviously he went through his stuff. Had his struggles early, but now, Pro Bowl. MVP finalist, and all that. I don't care what system or what scheme or anything like that, you're the one out there still playing. So definitely a shoutout to him, just the things he's been able to do and accomplish. It was just cool having a front row seat watching his development as a player."
Wilkins knows a thing or two about waiting on a contract extension from the Dolphins. The former Clemson standout, whom the Dolphins drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and his former team were in a standoff over the 2023 offseason, ultimately unable to reach an agreement on an extension. Wilkins followed that up with an excellent 2023 campaign that saw him reach a career-high nine sacks and a shiny new deal with the Raiders.
The Dolphins and Tua's camp will likely take their time to try to hammer out a deal. After all, the top end of the market is north of $50 million per year average annual value right now. The question really is whether the Dolphins view him as a top-notch QB and more than just a system guy.
It sounds like his former teammate thinks he is, at least.
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