Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa signs 4-year contract extension

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins have locked up their starting quarterback for the next five seasons.

Tua Tagovailoa signed a 4-year, $212.4 million contract extension with the team.

The deal will now make him the third-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, earning $53.1 million per season.

Tagovailoa, 26, opted out of drills during Thursday’s practice but returned as a full participant on Friday, starting the day with a 70-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill in 11-on-11 drills.

In a video post on his Instagram account, Tagovailoa thanked the Dolphins organization for making the deal happen and his fans for all of their support.

Thanks to a productive and injury-free 2023 season, Tagovailoa improved his negotiating leverage for the coveted deal by throwing 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 told reporters on Wednesday. “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.”

Tagovailoa’s new deal makes him the highest-paid player in franchise history. In comparison, Schefter said Hall-of-Fame quarterback Dan Marino’s career earnings with the Dolphins were $51 million.

The Dolphins reached the postseason in 2023 but were eliminated in the first round by eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City, extending their stretch to 24 years without a playoff win.

With their franchise quarterback under contract, Miami can now focus on training camp and the regular season as they aim to break their playoff drought.