Dolphins not offering market value of Tua’s contract, report says

The Miami Dolphins and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa may not be that close to a contract extension at this point in the offseason.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, appearing on the network’s “NFL Live” show, the Dolphins’ offer to Tagovailoa doesn’t match other recent quarterback deals, like Jared Goff to the Detroit Lions and Trevor Lawrence with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Right now, the Dolphins are not offering a contract that meets market value,” Darlington said.

“We haven’t reached the point of panic yet. I just think my early optimism needs to be dialed back a bit at this point. … From my conversations, they’re not in Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence’s range.

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has already expressed his willingness to sign Tagovailoa to his long-term extension this offseason before playing out the fifth and final season of his rookie contract this fall. This led to a general consensus that a deal would eventually be signed, despite the delays.

“I have long been optimistic that Tua Tagovailoa will get this deal done,” Darlington said. “I’m not saying it won’t happen, because these things usually happen. But right now, five words weigh on this contract negotiation. And those were the words that came out of Tua’s mouth: “The deal is the deal.” »

That was one of the key quotes Tagovailoa offered during his final speech to reporters during the Dolphins’ mandatory minicamp in early June, when he seemed a little concerned about how long it took to get a deal done.

The question concerned Goff, the Detroit Lions quarterback who was paid $53 million per year, and the interaction occurred before the Jacksonville Jaguars reached terms with Lawrence worth an average annual value of $55 million. dollars.

“What’s complicated is the Dolphins could point to the Jared Goff deal and say, ‘Well, we’re not the Detroit Lions; we don’t make that decision. But once Trevor Lawrence passes him, you find yourself in a situation.