Home / Sports / Dolphins' QB Gamble: Tagovailoa Benched, Burrow Rumors Swirl
Dolphins' QB Gamble: Tagovailoa Benched, Burrow Rumors Swirl
21 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Dolphins reportedly offered four first-round picks for Joe Burrow in 2020.
- Tua Tagovailoa was benched in late 2025 due to inconsistency.
- Dolphins could save $43 million by trading Tagovailoa after June 1, 2026.
The Miami Dolphins initially pursued Joe Burrow with significant offers, including four first-round picks, in the 2020 NFL Draft before settling on Tua Tagovailoa. After a period of development under coach Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa's performance declined significantly in 2025, leading to his benching with just three weeks remaining in the season.
This benching suggests Tagovailoa's time in Miami may be concluding. A potential trade scenario mirrors the Brock Osweiler deal, where teams can offload quarterback contracts. The Dolphins could save $43 million by delaying a Tagovailoa trade until after June 1, 2026.
Looking ahead, Miami might explore the situation in Cincinnati, where Joe Burrow has made cryptic comments. With fears of a weak 2026 quarterback draft class, the Dolphins could be positioned to make another significant move, depending on how Tagovailoa's benching and Burrow's potential unhappiness play out.
