MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa reported to training camp for the first day of team meetings Wednesday, a sign that good faith could continue in ongoing contract negotiations.
Entering his fifth season, Tagovailoa is still playing under the contract he signed when the Dolphins made him the fifth overall selection of the 2020 draft.
Tagovailoa is targeting similar riches already enjoyed by quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, who were drafted the same season. After their rookie deals, Burrow and Herbert signed multi-year contracts in excess of $200 million.
Although Tagovailoa didn’t speak with reporters Tuesday, teammates said he’s highly valuable to the club.
Head coach Mike McDaniel spoke to Local 10 News about the latest contract talks with his starting quarterback.
“I know that he wants the contract done and he knows that there are different things that evolve,” said McDaniel. “Everybody’s trying their best to get a deal done. We have to rely on that and hope.”
McDaniel wouldn’t say any timetable to a deal but doesn’t expect there will be any distractions.
Pro Bowl wide receiver Tyreek Hill also shared his thoughts on his quarterback showing up to the team’s first practice in 2024.
“He’s very excited to be back in the building with all of the guys,” Hill said. “It’s great to see him out there. Still coming into work. It’s still about his business without having the deal done. It just has been awesome having him around.”
Thanks to a productive and injury-free 2023 season, Tagovailoa improved his negotiating leverage for the coveted deal. Tagovailoa threw for 29 touchdowns and a league-best 4,624 yards.
“I think Tua is very well deserving of the opportunity to get a contract extension,” running back Raheem Mostert said. “He’s worked his tail off since I’ve started playing with him. The leadership that he portrays, not only for the team, but for the organization, is definitely top-notch.”
Local 10 News also heard from new defensive end Calais Campbell, who decided to play his 17th NFL season at home after playing his college ball with the Miami Hurricanes.
Campbell gave his thoughts on how the team can be a serious contender in the AFC this season.
“Obviously, you know, it’s gonna be tough, you know, I mean, you know, the AFC is a gauntlet, we gotta have that mindset that we gotta go and just, you know, go take it from them,” Campbell said. “I know it’s not gonna be an easy route, but, we got a great group of guys that are capable of doing the job.”
Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey told reporters that the team needs to go through some kind of adversity in training camp to become closer as a team.
“This is day one so we need to go through some adversity and build our identity-- maybe even a couple of fights to become closer,” said Ramsey.
The Dolphins reached the postseason but were eliminated in the first round by eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City, extending to 24 years of their stretch without a playoff win.
Throughout negotiations, Tagovailoa participated in the team’s offseason workouts, which also included veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr., signed by the Dolphins in the offseason.
“Tua is a guy that really loves the game,” receiver Jaylen Waddle said. “He likes to be around the team and the guys.”
Teammates don’t anticipate a deviation from the trend on Wednesday but when it involves contract negotiations, they also understand the alternative of Tagovailoa sitting out or limiting his work during camp.
“That’s under his discretion and his team. I can’t really speak on that because I’m his teammate and one of his brothers,” Mostert said. “Tua is Tua and he’s always put the team first.”
More Dolphins news
The Dolphins re-signed defensive lineman Emmanuel Ogbah to a one-year deal. Ogbah’s four-year tenure appeared finished following the 2023 season. But after the unexpected retirement of edge rusher Shaq Barrett last week, Ogbah again became an appealing option.
Barrett, a 10-year veteran, had signed with Miami in the offseason.
The Dolphins will have their first public practice on Sunday at Baptist Health Training Complex at 10:30 a.m.
CLICK HERE for more information on their full 2024 training camp schedule.
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