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Colts Should Avoid Pro Bowl Quarterback at All Costs

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Mike Roberts | Last updated Dec 24, 2025 6:14 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins could move on from Tua Tagovailoa. If that’s the case, a few teams should be interested in the quarterback this offseason. Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport listed the Indianapolis Colts as a possible landing spot:

“Indianapolis Colts Get: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Salary Compensation

Miami Dolphins Get: 2027 Round 5 Pick

Odds are (Daniel) Jones isn’t going to be close to ready to return by the start of the 2026 season. With no first-round pick, the rookie route is out. As much as Colts fans don’t want to hear this, a veteran such as Tagovailoa or Kyler Murray is their best bet if they want to compete next season. The Colts have a decent amount of projected cap space next year—about $47.6 million. If the Dolphins are willing to eat some salary and don’t expect much in return for Tagovailoa, this deal makes some sense for both sides.”

The Colts have question marks surrounding the quarterback position. But does acquiring Tua Tagovailoa make sense?

Colts Should Avoid Acquiring Tua Tagovailoa at All Costs

Looking Back at His Career

Tua Tagovailoa played high school football at Saint Louis School in Honolulu, Hawaii. After receiving 17 college offers, he chose to play for the University of Alabama.

During his freshman year, Tagovailoa backed up current Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Later that season, Tagovailoa replaced Hurts (due to ineffective play) in the National Championship Game. Tagovailoa wound up throwing the game-winning 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith. Alabama defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 26-23 in overtime.

Tagovailoa finished the contest 14-of-24 for 166 passing yards and three touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named the game’s Offensive MVP.

As a sophomore, Tagovailoa won the Maxwell and Walter Camp awards. He also led the Crimson Tide to an appearance in the 2019 National Championship Game.

Tagovailoa later skipped his senior year and entered the 2020 NFL Draft. The Dolphins selected him with the fifth overall pick. Playing 10 games as a rookie (nine starts), he passed for 1,814 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating (105.5) during the 2022 season. That was also the year that he suffered multiple concussions, including one against the Cincinnati Bengals, that resulted in a fencing response.

2023 was the best season of Tagovailoa’s career. Named to the Pro Bowl, he led the league in passing yards (4,624) and powered the Dolphins to the playoffs.

Tua Tagovailoa was benched in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers this season.

Why Not Tua?

Saying this has been an up-and-down season for the Colts is an understatement. The team started off with a red-hot 7-1 record, but then everything crumbled into pieces. Starting quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14, and now Colts are 8-7.

Philip Rivers came out of retirement to replace Jones. While he’s played great for a 44-year-old, he obviously isn’t the long-term answer. As Davenport pointed out, Jones (if he’s re-signed) will likely miss the start of next season. That means Indianapolis will need help at quarterback.

Tua Tagovailoa could be a nice addition. Although he has struggled mightily this season, he could revive his career in Indy like Jones did before his injury.

However, it would be too expensive to acquire Tagovailoa. The Dolphins are unlikely to release him since it would result in a ridiculous $99.2 million dead cap hit. That means the Colts would have to trade for him, taking on his hefty contract.

Again, Tagovailoa is too expensive and injury-prone. He just isn’t worth the risk. The Colts should go a much-cheaper route at quarterback to start the 2026 season. Perhaps they should ride with youngster Riley Leonard and bring in a cheap veteran until Jones returns (again, if he’s retained).

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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