Tua Tagovailoa Released By Miami Dolphins: Which NFL Teams Should Pursue Him?

The Tua Tagovailoa has been released by the Miami Dolphins, with the team using a post–June 1 designation. This allows Miami to spread an NFL‑record $99M in dead cap over two years instead of taking the full salary‑cap hit in a single season. Tagovailoa, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, had been Miami’s starter for six seasons. The Dolphins previously tried to trade him, but his large contract—including a four‑year, $212.4M extension with substantial guarantees—made a deal difficult to finalize. The team’s new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, said the organization is moving in a “new direction at the quarterback position” while acknowledging Tagovailoa’s contributions. Once officially released, he will become a free agent, able to sign with any team, likely on a smaller contract given the guarantees already paid. Where is the best destination for Tua? Where should he go? What teams should pursue him?