The Miami Dolphins have announced they are releasing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa early on Monday, before the free agency period begins.

A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Tua Tagovailoa's release will be designated post June 1, allowing the Dolphins to split the dead money over two years. This deal caps beats the previous record of $85 millon set by the Denver Broncos when they released Russell Wilson in 2024.

Tagovailoa, who spent six seasons with the Miami Dolphins, was informed of the release by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.

“I recently informed Tua and his representation that we are going to move in a new direction at the quarterback position and will be releasing him after the start of the new league.”

This move will leave a $67.4 millon dead hit in the salary cap in 2026, with $31.8 million in 2027. The Dolphins also need to pay $54 million in guaranteed money in 2026, minus the salary he makes from his next team.

Tagovailoa was drafted by the Dolphins in 2020 after a stellar career at Alabama. In 2022, he had his first standout season with 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns.

His play continued to dazzle until 2024, when he was forced to miss six games due to a hip injury. His overall gameplay was inconsistent in 2025 and was benched for the final three games of the season.

Tagovailoa gets emotional over Miami Dolphins Exit

In a post shared on social media, Tua Tagovailoa expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the fans and the city of Miami.

"As I prepare for the next chapter, I move forward with gratitude, faith, and memories I'll cherish for a lifetime. South Florida will always hold a special place in my heart”, he wrote on Instagram.

General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan acknowledged Tagivailoa’s contribution to the franchise.

"As I shared with Tua, I have great respect for the person and player he is. On behalf of the Miami Dolphins, I expressed our gratitude for his many contributions, both on the field and in the community, during his six seasons."

Sullivan also said the Dolphins will be on the hunt for a quarterback in the draft and look for one more in free agency. He also doesn’t expect the Dolphins to “spend big” as the team looks to start from scratch ahead of the 2026 season.

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Written by

Shyam Hari

Edited by

Kalp Thaker