Tua Tagovailoa bucks recent controversy on first day of Miami Dolphins' OTAs

The Dolphins' quarterback had been the subject of recent rumors and rumblings about whether or not he was willing to attend offseason training activities and workouts due to his frustration with ongoing contract negotiations.  CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones was the one who first reported that issue being a possibility.

However, Tagovailoa is apparently willing to continue working out with his teammates while his representatives work to try to hammer out a long-term contract.  

The recent move by the Detroit Lions to lock up their quarterback, Jared Goff, to a long-term extension has likely put the Dolphins between a rock and a hard place when it comes to the current quarterback market.  The Lions gave Goff, who took Detroit to the NFC championship game, a four-year, $212 million deal with over $170 million guaranteed.  

Given that deal, it seems fair to think that the Dolphins are likely going to have to at least reach the $50 million mark - and probably exceed it - to reach common ground with Tua, who led the league in passing yards in 2023.  Tua has already apparently rejected one contract offer from the team.

How long that game of contractual chicken lasts between both sides this offseason remains to be seen.  For now, it seems as though the star QB is willing to continue to stay the course and continue preparing for what he, the Dolphins, and their fans hope is a big 2024 together on the field.