The Miami Dolphins will be preparing for the 2026-2027 NFL season without Tua Tagovailoa after he was released from the team.
Less than two years after Tagovailoa signed a franchise-record $212.4 million contract extension, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan announced in a Monday statement that the team would be moving forward without the star quarterback.
Tagovailoa shared a post on Instagram shortly after, featuring a video reel of his on-field moments alongside a lengthy caption in which he thanked the Miami fans — and also revealed his one regret.
“To the fans — your energy, loyalty, and passion meant everything. You lifted me up in the biggest moments and stood by me through the challenging ones. From my first start I had, to the first touchdown I threw I’m grateful for all of it. My family and I felt your love every step of the way,” Tagovailoa wrote.
“I also carry deep regret that I couldn’t get the job done and bring a championship home to this city. Miami deserves that, and I’ll always wish I could have delivered it for you.”
Selected by the Dolphins in 2020 as the fifth overall pick in the draft, Tagovailoa struggled with consistency on the field after facing multiple concussions while with the Florida team.
Despite missing at least one game in five of six seasons, the quarterback finished his Dolphins career with a 44-32 record, completing 68 percent of all passes, tossing 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions.
Tagovailoa’s release from the team comes as the NFL’s free agency period kicks off with the legal tampering period before the start of the new league year, which begins Wednesday.
In addition to Tagovailoa, several other big names have been released from their NFL teams, including Stefon Diggs, who was released from his three-year contract with the New England Patriots last week.
Diggs addressed the news Wednesday on his Instagram Story, sharing a photo of himself in uniform on the field, alongside the caption: “THANK YOU for a hell of a year. We family forever @patriots … Until we meet again.”
The wide receiver first signed a $63.5 million contract last year with the Patriots and was a key component in leading the team to this year’s Super Bowl, where they ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Throughout the season, he had the most receiving yards, earning 1,013 yards on 85 receptions and four touchdowns.
According to the NFL, his release from the contract was “financially motivated.”
