Fresh QB Option Should Entice the Vikings
Tua Tagovailoa is going nowhere fast in Miami. Not anymore.
As a result, he appears to be a QB option for the Vikings to consider going into 2026. Check out what Tom Pelissero had to say of the news about benching the well-paid passer: “Tua Time’s Up: The Dolphins are benching QB Tua Tagovailoa and will start rookie Quinn Ewers on Sunday, sources tell The Insiders. Tagovailoa is due $54 million fully guaranteed in 2026. But his future in Miami is now clearly up in the air.”
Tua Tagovailoa is a New QB Option for Vikings
Admittedly, the status of Brian Flores as the defensive coordinator introduces a tricky dynamic.
Word emerged during the offseason of the QB’s disdain for Coach Flores. Minnesota’s DC didn’t dig into too many specifics when responding, instead sending praise in the quarterback’s direction while signalling a desire for growth as a person and coach. Any potential relationship between team and player would need to ensure there’s no prohibitive dynamic between coach and player.
If the opportunity exists to work together, then the Vikings ought to have interest.
Further from Pelissero on Tagovailoa’s descent: “Mike McDaniel now confirming the news, says Quinn Ewers gives them the best chance to win. Zach Wilson will back him up and Tua will be the emergency No. 3.”
Folks, being behind an unproven rookie and Zach Wilson means things have gone poorly as a Dolphin.
Only 27, Mr. Tagovailoa got scooped up at No. 5 in the 2020 NFL Draft after a strong career at Alabama. He won a college national championship and was in the running for the Heisman while playing ball at the college powerhouse. In other words, he has a track record of playing very well at high levels of football.
The southpaw has played some poor football in 2025, leading the Dolphins to a 6-8 record. He has completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. His 88.5 passer rating isn’t great.
Tua is, in short, a buy-low candidate. He makes sense to add as a free agent with upside due to his age, draft spot, and history of NFL production (college, too). Sending over draft capital to then inherit that albatross of a contract makes zero sense.
So, keep that one in mind: the QB option is only an option if there’s a cut.
Next season, Tagovailoa will carry a $56.4 million cap charge for the Dolphins. Cutting him would push Miami into further cap debt, chewing up $99.2 million in dead money. That’s an insane cap charge, one that likely prohibits a normal cut.
Opting to designate the cut as occurring in a post-June 1 manner alleviates the hit in 2026, dropping the dead money down to $67.4 million (with the remaining amount arriving in 2027). Either way, not a good outcome for the Dolphins.
Consider that in 2023, Tagovailoa led Miami to an 11-6 record behind a 69.3% completion rate and 4,624 passing yards. His touchdowns were up at 29 and interceptions at 14. Lots to like in those numbers.
In fact, his career completion percentage comes in at a very healthy 68.0% and his overall touchdown-to-interception ratio is 120/59. Again, lots to like.
J.J. McCarthy should get leaned on as the QB1 going into 2026. What’s needed is a competent backup who can light the fire of competition during the offseason. And, of course, be capable of winning if there ends up being a need for someone else to step in. To that end, Tua is 44-32 in his career.
Turning to Tua Tagovailoa — his first name is shortened from Tuanigamanuolepola — makes a pile of sense. Signing a cheap quarterback in need of redemption is precisely the kind of move the Vikings should be looking for in March of 2026.
