Big Setback for Miami Dolphins as top talented Veteran bids farewell to team in tears following his decision to…

What’s the hold up on Tua Tagovailoa’s contract extension?

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Miami Dolphins fans this offseason as time has continued to pass, and there are still no signs of a deal between the team and Tua Tagovailoa.

Talks of contract negotiations emerged in late April when general manager Chris Grier confirmed that the team is committed to making Tagovailoa the long-term franchise quarterback. Weeks began to pass, leading to questions about the quarterback’s attendance at OTAs.

Head coach Mike McDaniel assured there was no reason to worry, and Tagovailoa held up on his end of the bargain by attending OTAs and minicamp. But as early offseason workouts calmed down, tensions appeared to ramp up.

On the final day of mandatory minicamp, the quarterback was visibly frustrated over the ongoing process and influx of contract-related questions, describing his emotions as “antsy.” Days later, Trevor Lawrence agreed to a five-year, $275 million extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Lawrence is the stronger runner of the two, but Tagovailoa edges the Jaguars’ quarterback out in every other category. Surely Lawrence tying Joe Burrow with a $55 million annual salary would put Tagovailoa in the ballpark, or so he thought.

 

Since Lawrence’s June 13 contract agreement, tensions have continued to rise. According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, it’s come down to an issue of the Dolphins refusing to offer market value. Perhaps Tagovailoa was sending a message at minicamp when he said, “The market is the market.”