ClutchPoints
To say the 2025 NFL season has gone poorly for Tua Tagovailoa would be a massive understatement.
After agreeing to a massive $212.4 million extension back in 2024, Tagovailoa watched the Dolphins string together an ugly series of losses that put their playoff chances in serious limbo, with a late run of four wins simply not enough to overcome a monster deficit. The Dolphins turned in a maddening performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football to officially eliminate themselves from postseason play, and in the end, fans will get to see Quinn Ewers close out the regular season under center, with Tagovailoa officially benched by Mike McDaniel.
With his season prematurely over and the Dolphins seemingly turning their attention to a rebuild, having already shipped away Jaelan Phillips to begin the process, fans have openly wondered if there is any market for Tagovailoa via trade, or if he will instead remain on the roster in 2026, even if the Dolphins acquire a new signal caller to test out under center one way or another, be that in the 2026 NFL Draft, in free agency, or via trade for a player like Spencer Rattler, Kyler Murray, or Tanner McKee.
But who could it be? The Las Vegas Raiders? They might have the 1st overall pick if they can lose to the New York Giants in Week 17. The New York Jets? They didn’t trade away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams to just go 9-8 with a veteran team, but instead to do a rebuild of their own. The Cleveland Browns or the New Orleans Saints? They both drafted quarterbacks last season and likely want to see what they have over a high-priced veteran on bottom-5 rosters.
No, unless the Los Angeles Rams have a desperate need to replace Matthew Stafford for one reason or another, there is only really one team with a timeline that makes sense for Tagovailoa, as at this point, they really need to settle on a long-term answer under center after years of stops and starts.
Ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Steelers have been dealing with near-constant turnover at the quarterback position.
They tried drafting a local product in Kenny Pickett in the first round who didn’t do much in black and yellow, trading him to the Philadelphia Eagles to effectively be a backup during their Super Bowl run. They tried a proven Super Bowl winner in Russell Wilson and even brought in a young upside player in Justin Fields, neither of whom did enough to earn a new contract in 2025. They even went with the ultimate win-now player in Aaron Rodgers, who has the team in playoff consideration, but at 42, might not play again next season.
No, unless Mason Rudolph is finally ready to take over the QB1 spot in his age-31 season, the Steelers would be wise to finally settle on a long-term player under center now...
