Tua Tagovailoa did not dodge it.
When asked Monday if he is hoping for a fresh start, the Miami Dolphins quarterback said that idea would be “dope” and added he would be good with it, a pretty loud answer from a player who once looked locked in as the franchise’s long term face.
Why Tua Tagovailoa is ready to move on
The shift has been building since his rough prime time outing against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when things unraveled and the Dolphins later benched him for rookie Quinn Ewers.
Tua Tagovailoa responds when asked if he's open to a fresh start 👀 pic.twitter.com/tqv3rjqrgI
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 5, 2026
Tagovailoa’s 2025 line was still solid in volume but ugly in swing moments: 2,660 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and a career high 15 interceptions, with a 67.7% completion rate across 14 starts.
What the Dolphins can do next with Tagovailoa
This is what makes it complicated. Tagovailoa is not some random starter you cut bait on. He was a Pro Bowler who led the NFL in passing yards in 2023 with 4,624, and he also led the league in passer rating in 2022.
Miami gave him a massive extension in 2024, so any breakup is going to involve real cap math and a real trade marke. But with the organization in flux and leadership decisions piling up, the next personnel boss is walking into the biggest call on the board: fix the relationship, or find a trade partner who believes the 2023 version is still in there.
📲 Annah Tagovailoa with a heartfelt message to Tua Tagovailoa on Instagram:
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) January 5, 2026
“Watching you finish year 6 has been such a reminder of how much heart you pour into everything you do. Beyond the game, we’re thankful for the friendships, the community, and the people who’ve become… pic.twitter.com/WT7z3FndwG
Photo Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
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