Who Should I Start? Tua Tagovailoa or DJ Uiagalelei

Monday, February 16, 7:20 AM

FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz reports that the Miami Dolphins' preference has been to find a trade partner for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and Schultz's understanding is that the new regime doesn't "want it to drag too long." If the Dolphins can't find any takers on the trade market, a cut is "possible in the end." Miami has already started salary cap cuts this offseason, releasing both receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) and pass-rusher Bradley Chubb on Monday. Tagovailoa could be next, although the team will exhaust all potential trade avenues first. The 27-year-old said it "would be dope" to get a fresh start with a new team in 2026 after another disappointing campaign last year in which he was benched late in the year for rookie Quinn Ewers. Trading Tagovailoa won't be easy, though, after they signed him to a four-year, $212.4 million deal in July of 2024. The Dolphins would take a $99.2 million salary cap hit this year if they cut him before June 1, while releasing him after that date would allow them to spread out the cap hit over two years. It's pretty clear the former first-rounder has played his last snap in Miami, but he could compete for a starting role somewhere else in 2026, depending on where he lands.

Sunday, August 24, 10:53 AM

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei completed 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards to go with two touchdowns and an interception Saturday against San Francisco. The rookie got the majority of snaps and played fairly well, also rushing for 13 yards on one attempt. The Chargers are clearly set at quarterback with Justin Herbert, but will have decisions to make with backup candidates Trey Lance, Taylor Heinicke, and Uiagalelei on cutdown day.