The Miami Dolphins don’t figure to do something dramatic like find a way to trade for a big name like Russell Wilson while Tua Tagovailoa remains sidelined.
While the idea of a blockbuster trade might sound appealing to fans, the organization is taking a much more measured approach to the situation.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, Tagovailoa’s aspirations to play again this season play a big role in this:
“While the Dolphins make plans at quarterback for at least the next three weeks without Tua Tagovailoa (IR, concussion), a trade for a passer doesn't seem likely at this point. A source said Miami is "not much into it at this time." Keep in mind, all signs are that Tagovailoa wants to play again this season, and he's eligible as early as Week 7. Making a flashy move for a quarterback, potentially disrupting the loose timeline and plans of Tagovailoa and the team, comes with risk.”
There are many other reasons the Dolphins aren’t lining up a major trade, of course. One of the issues is the slow 1-2 start, which has left an air of questions hanging over the team, such as whether head coach Mike McDaniel should give up play-calling duties.
There is also the slim hope that shifting to Tyler Huntley at quarterback over Skylar Thomson can provide a jolt to the offense.
Other major factors at play are more traditional, such as the raw cost of going to get another quarterback. Beyond giving away picks and players in a deal, Tagovailoa has a massive contract and the Dolphins currently project to have roughly $4.2 million in free cap space in 2025.
Until the Dolphins get something more concrete on Tagovailoa’s future, combined with the team actually staying in the race and not continuing to collapse, big trades won’t happen.
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