The Miami Dolphins will officially exercise the fifth-year option on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s contract and have informed him of their decision, according to NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo.
Since Tagovailoa was a first round draft pick, the fifth-year option carries a significantly larger cap number than the usual rookie rate in the first four years of a deal and will see Tagovailoa guaranteed $23.2 million for the 2024 season.
Tagovailoa will earn $9.6 million in 2023.
Should Tagovailoa stay healthy in 2023, the Dolphins are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and by picking up his fifth year option it sends a big message about their belief that he is their long-term franchise quarterback.
The Dolphins have publicly backed Tagovailoa as their starter, despite a number of concussions and his injury history, but it did not stop rumors from circulating that the Dolphins could explore other options, such as retired quarterback Tom Brady.
Now, the Dolphins have officially backed Tagovailoa for the next few seasons, and put an exclamation point on that statement by exercising his option well ahead of the standing May 2nd deadline to do so.
