Tua Tagovailoa Contract: Injury History & Falcons Deal
It’s rare to see a franchise quarterback go from a $212.4 million extension to a one-year minimum contract in the span of a year, but that’s exactly what Tua Tagovailoa’s career has become. In July 2024, Tagovailoa signed a four-year extension worth $212.4 million with the Miami Dolphins (Palm Beach Post). A year later, after a series of concussions and a record-breaking dead-cap release, he landed with the Atlanta Falcons on a minimum deal. This article traces the financial and medical journey that led from Miami’s franchise quarterback to Atlanta’s reclamation project.
Seasons played in NFL: 6 (2020‑2025) ·
2025 team: Atlanta Falcons ·
2025 contract length: 1 year ·
2025 contract value: $1,215,000 ·
College: Alabama
Quick snapshot
- Signed 4‑year, $212.4M extension with Dolphins in July 2024 (Palm Beach Post)
- Released by Miami in early 2025; Falcons signed him to a 1‑year minimum deal (ESPN)
- Three documented NFL concussions (Sept 29, 2022; Dec 25, 2022; Sept 12, 2024) (Draft Sharks)
- Whether Tua will start for Atlanta in 2025 (ESPN)
- Exact dead‑cap number the Dolphins carry (reportedly $99.2M but not officially confirmed) (ESPN)
- Long‑term effects of his concussion history on career longevity (Palm Beach Post)
- 2020: Drafted 5th overall by Miami (Palm Beach Post)
- 2024: Signed $212.4M extension; 4th concussion in Sept (Draft Sharks)
- March 2025: Released by Dolphins; Falcons sign to 1‑year minimum (ESPN)
- Competition for Falcons starting QB job in training camp (ESPN)
- If he plays well, could secure a multi‑year deal in 2026 (Palm Beach Post)
- If injuries persist, his NFL future may be uncertain (Draft Sharks)
Eight key biographical and career details, one pattern: a quarterback with high‑end college pedigree and a star contract, but whose body has repeatedly interrupted the arc.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tuanigamanuolepola Donny Tagovailoa |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Height | 6’1″ |
| Weight | 225 lbs |
| Birthdate | March 2, 1998 (age 28) |
| College | Alabama |
| NFL debut | 2020 |
| 2025 team | Atlanta Falcons |
What has happened to Tua Tagovailoa?
Tua Tagovailoa was released by the Miami Dolphins after six seasons (ESPN). He signed a one‑year minimum contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025 (ESPN). He played college football at Alabama and was drafted 5th overall in 2020 (Palm Beach Post).
The Dolphins had just handed him a $212.4 million extension seven months before the release (Palm Beach Post). That contract included $167 million in guarantees and averaged $53.1 million per year (Palm Beach Post).
Is Tua leaving Miami?
Yes — Tua Tagovailoa left the Dolphins in 2025 after being released (ESPN). His departure was part of the Dolphins’ decision to move on financially after the concussion‑riddled 2024 season (Palm Beach Post).
Why are the Falcons bringing in Tua Tagovailoa?
Atlanta signed him to a one‑year minimum deal to add quarterback depth (ESPN). The Falcons reportedly view him as a low‑risk, high‑upside backup who could compete for the starting job if he stays healthy (ESPN).
Atlanta gets a former Pro Bowl quarterback for the price of a backup, but they also inherit a medical history that includes three documented concussions in 28 months (Draft Sharks).
The implication: the Falcons are betting a minimal salary that the risk will not materialize.
How much do the Dolphins still owe Tua?
The Dolphins carry dead cap money from Tua’s previous contract. ESPN reported that Miami would designate the release as a post‑June 1 transaction, splitting the $99.2 million dead‑money hit into $67.4 million in 2026 and $31.8 million in 2027. That $99.2 million is an NFL record for a single player.
Tua’s 2025 Falcons contract is worth $1,215,000, the league minimum. In 2026, Tua is not currently under contract; his future salary is undetermined (Palm Beach Post).
How much will Tua get paid in 2026?
As of early 2025, Tua does not have a contract for 2026. The Dolphins owed him $54 million in guaranteed money for 2026, minus any salary he earns from another team (ESPN). That guarantee was wiped out by the release, so his 2026 earnings depend entirely on a new deal with Atlanta or another team.
Miami’s dead‑cap burden is so large that it will restrict their ability to sign free agents for two seasons — a direct consequence of guaranteeing $167 million to a quarterback with a documented concussion history (Palm Beach Post).
The pattern: Miami’s cap penalty punishes the franchise long after the player left the building.
Why did Tua’s fingers curl?
Tua experienced a peculiar finger‑curling phenomenon during a 2022 game (Palm Beach Post). The condition was later diagnosed as a rare nerve or muscle reaction, possibly related to his spinal or nerve function after a concussion (Palm Beach Post).
The condition did not cause long‑term damage and Tua continued playing (Palm Beach Post). However, it added to the growing list of physical abnormalities that raised concerns about his long‑term health.
What this means: each neurological event, even transient ones, now factors into teams’ risk calculus.
Who has the most concussions in history?
Tua Tagovailoa has a history of concussions, including multiple documented cases. According to Draft Sharks, he suffered head cranial concussions on September 29, 2022 (missed 2 games), December 25, 2022 (missed 3 games), and September 12, 2024 (missed 4 games, placed on IR).
The NFL’s most concussed player in history is not officially recorded, but several names are frequently cited. Tua’s concussion history was a factor in the Dolphins’ decision to release him (Palm Beach Post).
Three concussions in three seasons — each requiring multiple weeks of recovery — made Tua’s $212M extension untenable for Miami. The financial risk outweighed the on‑field reward.
The catch: Tua’s future now depends entirely on whether his body can withstand a full season.
Timeline of Tua Tagovailoa’s career
- 2017–2019: Plays college football at Alabama, wins 2018 National Championship MVP.
- 2020 NFL Draft: Selected 5th overall by the Miami Dolphins (Palm Beach Post).
- 2020–2024: Starts for Dolphins; multiple concussions and injuries.
- 2022 Season: Finger‑curling incident during a game; later diagnosed as a temporary condition (Palm Beach Post).
- Early 2025: Miami Dolphins release Tua Tagovailoa after six seasons (ESPN).
- March 2025: Atlanta Falcons sign Tua to a one‑year, $1.215 million contract (ESPN).
Confirmed facts vs. what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Tua Tagovailoa was released by the Dolphins in 2025 (ESPN).
- He signed a one‑year minimum contract with the Falcons (ESPN).
- He experienced a finger‑curling incident in 2022 (Palm Beach Post).
What’s still unclear
- Whether Tua will be the Falcons’ starter in 2025.
- Exact dead cap number the Dolphins carry for him (reported but not official).
- Long‑term effects of his concussion history on his playing future.
- His contract status beyond 2025.
- Accurate career passing yards total for 2025 (self‑reported in some sources, not independently confirmed).
Key quotes on Tua’s journey
“Thank you, Miami. From the draft night to the last snap, I gave everything I had. The Dolphins will always be a part of me.”
— Tua Tagovailoa, in an Instagram statement upon his release
“The Falcons are signing QB Tua Tagovailoa to a one‑year minimum contract, a low‑cost move to add depth and competition.”
— ESPN
“The $99.2 million dead‑cap hit is the largest in NFL history, a direct result of the $167 million in guarantees on Tua’s contract.”
— ESPN
The pattern is clear: Tua Tagovailoa’s career now hinges on his ability to stay on the field. For the Atlanta Falcons, the gamble is small — a league‑minimum salary. For the Miami Dolphins, the consequence is massive: a two‑year salary cap penalty that will reshape their roster. For Tua himself, the 2025 season is a shot at redemption. If he stays healthy, he could earn a multi‑year deal in 2026. If the concussions return, the NFL may be done taking the risk.
Related reading: **Frank Nazar: Contract, Injury Return, and Blackhawks Role**
For a deeper look at the medical and contractual context behind this move, see Tua Tagovailoas Falcons signing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tua Tagovailoa still with the Miami Dolphins?
No. He was released by the Dolphins in early 2025 after six seasons (ESPN).
What is Tua Tagovailoa’s contract with the Atlanta Falcons?
One‑year, $1.215 million minimum contract (ESPN).
Why did the Dolphins release Tua Tagovailoa?
Financial and safety reasons. The Dolphins decided to absorb a record dead‑cap hit rather than risk his concussion history on a fully guaranteed $54 million salary in 2026 (ESPN).
What happened to Tua Tagovailoa’s fingers?
During a 2022 game his fingers curled involuntarily, a rare nerve/muscle reaction likely linked to a concussion (Palm Beach Post).
How many concussions has Tua Tagovailoa had?
Three documented NFL concussions (Sept 29, 2022; Dec 25, 2022; Sept 12, 2024) (Draft Sharks).
What is Tua Tagovailoa’s 2026 salary?
Not yet determined. He is not under contract for 2026 (ESPN).
How old is Tua Tagovailoa?
Born March 2, 1998; age 28.
Who are Tua Tagovailoa’s wife and family?
He is married to Annah Gore, and they have a son named Ace.
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