The Miami Dolphins have struck a $67.5million deal for Malik Willis to replace Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback.
It was announced on Monday that Tagovailoa is being released – despite signing a four-year, $212m contract in July 2024.
The move will cost Miami a record $99.2m in dead cap space but new Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan have moved quickly to fill the hole under center by signing free agent Willis.
The 26-year-old has spent the last two seasons as a backup to Jordan Love on the Green Bay Packers but, as revealed by NFL Network, Willis has now agreed to join the Dolphins.
He has signed a three-year, $67.5m deal that includes $45m guaranteed. Willis began his career with the Tennessee Titans after being selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft.
In August 2024, the quarterback was traded to the Packers in exchange for a seventh-round pick. He has played only 22 games in the NFL, including four in 2025.
The Miami Dolphins have struck a $67.5million deal for Malik Willis to replace Tua Tagovailoa
The Dolphins are releasing quarterback Tagovailoa after his nightmare 2025 season
According to NFL Network, meanwhile, the Falcons are leading the race to snap up Tagovailoa as Michael Penix Jr. continues to recover from ACL surgery.
Atlanta is also set to cut ties with veteran signal caller Kirk Cousins when free-agency begins later this week, just two years after handing him a four-year, $180m deal that included $100m guaranteed.
It is believed the Falcons are hoping to sign Tagovailoa on a minimum contract, although no deal can be finalized until he is officially released by the Dolphins when the new league year starts on Wednesday.
Tagovailoa endured a nightmare 2025 campaign as Miami went 7-10 and missed out on the playoffs once again.
Coach Mike McDaniel benched the 28-year-old after he threw a career-high 15 interceptions and recorded fewer than 200 passing yards on eight occasions, with rookie Quinn Ewers replacing him for the final three games.
Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan announced on Monday that they are going their separate ways.
‘I recently informed Tua and his representation that we are going to move in a new direction at the quarterback position and will be releasing him after the start of the new league year,’ Sullivan said in a statement early Monday morning.
‘As I shared with Tua, I have great respect for the person and player he is. On behalf of the Miami Dolphins, I expressed our gratitude for his many contributions, both on the field and in the community, during his six seasons in Miami.
‘As we move forward, we will be focused on infusing competition across the roster and establishing a strong foundation for this team as we work towards building a sustained winner.’
Atlanta is leading the race to sign Tagovailoa with Michael Penix Jr. recovering from injury
Miami is embarking on a new chapter after head coach Mike McDaniel (left) was also fired
Tagovailoa also broke his silence later in the morning, thanking Miami for ‘six unforgettable years’ in an emotional post on Instagram.
‘From the moment I arrived, you believed in me, supported me, and embraced my family as your own,’ he wrote. ‘I was able to marry my wife and welcome both my kids to this world. I was able to fortunately allow them to experience life from one I never got to growing up. Wearing this jersey and representing this city has been one of the greatest joys of my life.’
After paying tribute to his teammates and Dolphins staff, Tagovailoa continued: ‘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. 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.’
‘As I prepare for the next chapter, I move forward with gratitude, faith, and memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime,’ he concluded. ‘South Florida will always hold a special place in my heart. 1Love – UNO out’.
