The Miami Dolphins are poised to make a franchise-altering move at quarterback, with seismic shifts expected to rock the roster and define the team’s trajectory for the 2026 season and beyond. Multiple league sources indicate the organization is preparing to sever ties with former Pro Bowl quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a decision that would carry historic financial repercussions and ignite a high-stakes search for his successor.
According to reports from ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Dolphins’ front office is actively seeking a trade partner for Tagovailoa following his late-season benching in 2025. The primary obstacle is the quarterback’s massive contract, a four-year deal worth up to $212 million signed prior to the 2024 season. Insiders suggest Miami may have to absorb a significant portion of the remaining money to facilitate a trade.
Should a trade prove impossible, Sports Illustrated’s Dante Collinelli reports the team is considering a post-June 1 cut. This maneuver would still result in a record-setting dead cap hit, spreading approximately $67 million into 2026 and $32 million into 2027. This would surpass the financial burden the Denver Broncos absorbed after releasing Russell Wilson.
The potential move has cleaved the fanbase. Proponents argue Tagovailoa’s perceived regression over the past two seasons necessitates a change, while detractors mourn the loss of the 2023 passing yards leader and question the logic of incurring such a staggering financial penalty. The football implications are stark; without a reliable quarterback, even a defense thriving under head coach Jeff Hafley would face immense pressure.
In a stunning parallel development, a retired star may be poised for a dramatic return to the NFL in Miami. Sources close to the situation indicate former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr, who shocked the league by retiring last offseason, is contemplating a comeback. USA Today’s Joe Rivera has identified the Dolphins as a “perfect fit” should Tagovailoa depart.
Carr, who began the 2024 season strongly before injury, is said to be motivated by a final pursuit of a championship. The Saints still hold his rights, meaning any move would require negotiation. Dolphins General Manager John Eric Sullivan is reportedly wary of surrendering high draft capital but may pursue a late-round pick swap to acquire the veteran.
The fit is considered logical from a schematic standpoint. New offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik runs a pure West Coast system similar to the one Carr operated under former Saints offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak. Pairing Carr’s experience with elite weapons like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle offers a compelling “bridge” scenario for the franchise.
Simultaneously, the Dolphins are conducting due diligence on a younger, high-upside option. All signs point to Malik Willis, the former Green Bay Packers quarterback and impending free agent. The connections are undeniable: GM John Eric Sullivan was previously the Packers’ VP of personnel, and Head Coach Jeff Hafley faced Willis daily in practice during his tenure in Green Bay.
Willis, who showed flashes in limited action, is seen as a potential diamond-in-the-rough. His athleticism and powerful arm align with the offensive philosophy, and his familiarity with a nearly identical West Coast scheme would ease his transition. The financial calculus is critical; with a potential dead cap charge for Tagovailoa, a cost-effective contract for Willis could be a cornerstone of the rebuild.
This three-pronged quarterback saga—cutting a franchise pillar, luring a veteran out of retirement, and betting on a reclamation project—defines a pivotal moment for the organization. The strategy appears to be a deliberate pivot, clearing the deck of a major long-term commitment to create flexibility under the guidance of Hafley and Slowik.
The coming weeks will determine whether the Dolphins secure Carr as a stabilizing force or place their immediate future in the hands of Malik Willis. Either path represents a colossal gamble, betting that the combination of a revamped defense and existing offensive firepower can withstand the turbulence of a quarterback revolution.
Fans are left to ponder whether this constitutes a necessary rebirth or unmanageable chaos. The only certainty is that the DNA of the Miami Dolphins is being fundamentally rewritten, with the 2026 season hanging in the balance. The organization is betting its future on the belief that the pain of today will forge a more competitive tomorrow.
