Dolphins could move on from Tua Tagovailoa this offseason

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins reportedly could move away from Tua Tagovailoa this offseason

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/3/23

Rumors about the Miami Dolphins possibly moving on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

As shared by Alain Poupart of FanNation's All Dolphins, CBS NFL insider Josina Anderson reported on Friday that "league sources" told her "Last night and today that there are members in the organization of the Dolphins who are aware that the team is exploring all of their options at quarterback, including potentially moving in a different direction from Tua."

Anderson added Miami's actions ahead of the start of the new league year on March 15 are "part of the due diligence that a general manager should do when you are considering the concussion and the head history, the injury history in the head to Tua and what they've experienced."

I’m told multiple people have been made aware within the #Dolphins organization that the team will explore all options at quarterback, per league source--this as the decision continues to linger on a long-term deal and the 5th-year option on Tua Tagovailoa. pic.twitter.com/c6Os0hdL7h
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 3, 2023

Tagovailoa suffered at least two confirmed concussions this past season, appeared in just 13 games, missed Miami's final three contests including the playoffs, and remained in the concussion protocol from shortly after Christmas Day through the entire month of January.

Miami made the 25-year-old a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft when injury concerns were hovering over his status. During the 2021 campaign, Tagovailoa dealt with fractured ribs and a fracture in the middle finger on his throwing hand.

At the NFL combine this week, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed the club hasn't yet made a decision about the fifth-year option attached to Tagovailoa's rookie contract months before the May 1 deadline for such calls. General manager Chris Grier later admitted he has some concerns about Tagovailoa's durability, but Grier also hinted the Dolphins could still sign the signal-caller to an extension this offseason.

However, several insiders have linked the Dolphins with none other than Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson over the past couple of months. Jackson grew up not too far from Miami and remains in a contract standoff with Baltimore ahead of this coming Tuesday's deadline for teams to use their franchise tags.

It's unknown if the Dolphins would give Jackson the type of fully guaranteed deal he allegedly wants or if they'd send the Ravens at least two first-round draft picks for Jackson's services after he is tagged. Regardless of how Miami feels about the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player, it seems the club is not at all close to committing to Tagovailoa as its long-term QB1.

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