Dolphins cut Tua Tagovailoa for record $99 million cap hit after brutal season
The Dolphins got $99 million problems and Tua Tagovailoa is the one behind it all.Miami, as expected, is releasing the former first-round pick with a post-June 1 designation and will incur a record $99 million hit in dead cap space, according to ESPN.The Dolphins will take on a $67.4 million cap hit in 2026 and a $31.8 million cap hit in 2027 — a total of $99.2 million — and actually lose $11 million in cap space for this season, per Spotrac.“As we move forward, we will be focused on infusing competition across the roster and establishing a strong foundation for this team as we work towards building a sustained winner,” Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said in a statement released by the team Monday morning.The veteran quarterback responded to the news by posting an Instagram video thanking the fans and those in the organization for six “unforgettable years.”“From the moment I arrived, you believed in me, supported me, and embraced my family as your own.I was able to marry my wife and welcome both my kids to this world,” Tagovailoa wrote Monday.
“I was able to fortunately allow them to experience life from one I never got to growing up.Wearing this jersey and representing this city has been one of the greatest joys of my life.“To my teammates and coaches, thank you for the battles, the brotherhood, and the standard of excellence we tried achieving every single day we step foot on that field.
I’ve met so many of your families and cherish the friendships I’ve been able to make these last 6 years.The work we put in together, the wins we celebrated, and even the tough moments shaped me not just as a player, but as a man.”The writing had been on the wall surrounding Tagovailoa’s future in Miami for quite some time, but the Dolphins tried to trade him before moving on.Teams ultimately did not want to take on his large contract, especially since they knew Miami would probably release him and they could just wait to sign him in free ...