Who Should I Start? Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Fields

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.

Monday, February 2, 3:50 PM

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (knee) was asked to participate in the Pro Bowl games on Tuesday, a source told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Fields declined and will instead focus on his offseason training. The 26-year-old signed a two-year, $40 million deal in free agency last offseason to serve as the Jets' starting QB, but that experiment failed miserably in head coach Aaron Glenn's first year at the helm. The former 11th overall pick by the Chicago Bears in 2021 out of Ohio State made nine starts in 2025 before being benched for veteran Tyrod Taylor, and he ended the year on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury. Fields cut down on turnovers, but he threw for only 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception, and he wasn't as aggressive as a runner. He definitely won't be handed the starting job back in 2026, but it's unclear who he'll be competing with in training camp this summer. Fields' stock in dynasty/keeper leagues has taken a big hit.