Dolphins to release Tagovailoa at record cost..

The Miami Dolphins will release quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a move that will cost the franchise a record $99.2 million in dead money against the salary cap.

Tagovailoa, 28, has been Miami’s starting quarterback since 2020 after being selected with the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft.

The quarterback signed a four-year contract extension in 2024 worth $212.4 million, but the Dolphins will absorb the league’s largest dead cap charge by cutting him just two years into the deal.

The figure surpasses the previous NFL record of $85 million incurred by the Denver Broncos when they released quarterback Russell Wilson in 2024.

“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 year,” Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said.

Tagovailoa had considered retiring after suffering two concussions during the 2022 season but returned to lead the NFL in passing yards in 2023, helping Miami reach the playoffs.

However, he suffered another concussion months after signing his extension and struggled for form during the 2025 season, eventually being benched for the final three games.

The Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel in January and appointed Jeff Hafley as his replacement while Sullivan took over as general manager as part of a wider rebuild.

Miami have already released wide receiver Tyreek Hill and agreed to trade safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets.

Sullivan said the team would focus on creating competition across the roster as it attempts to build a long-term contender.

Tagovailoa is the second franchise quarterback to be released during the current free-agency period after Kyler Murray, whom the Arizona Cardinals decided to part ways with following just one winning season in seven years.