Dolphins face $50M release issue that doesn’t involve Tua Tagovailoa originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The Miami Dolphins will have a lot of eyes on them this offseason, and much of that attention will be on their performance with Tua Tagovailoa.
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While the $214 million quarterback is owed more than $50 million through 2026, the Dolphins are seriously considering cutting or trading him this offseason.
PFF.com’s Bradley Locker suggested that the $500-plus million question is the biggest question facing the Dolphins this offseason. But this has nothing to do with Tagovailoa. Instead, it’s about another $50 million cut on offense, wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
Dolphins face $50M Tyreek Hill question
Locke wrote: “Hill will be 32 years old in March this year. He still owes $51 million against the salary cap next year. To remain on the team’s roster, Hill will be a very expensive veteran.”
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It will be important for the Dolphins to trade or cut Hill this offseason, considering that his contract is so expensive and that he will experience serious injuries during the 2025 season.
If the Dolphins want to keep Hill for another season, they may choose to keep him, but given the huge hit to the salary cap and the huge questions surrounding Tagovailoa’s future, moving on from Hill may be the best path forward.
If the Dolphins end up cutting him, since most teams are unwilling to spend capital and money to acquire Hill, the Dolphins will incur a $28 million dead cap charge if he is released before June 1.
more: Dolphins general manager reveals exciting quarterback plans for upcoming NFL draft
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However, if the Dolphins do cut him after June 1, they will only take up $15 million in dead cap space in 2026, saving $35 million.
They will have more against the salary cap through 2027, but that spreads the loss over several years and is a more feasible way to move on from Hill this offseason.
For the Dolphins, such a decision is very possible. And the massive $99 million deal with Tagovaailoa is the biggest one for the Dolphins. What they do with Hill may be the more pressing question they face this offseason.
Hill still has some value, even if he’s not 100%. However, given the massive salary cap charge of $51 million in 2026, the Dolphins may be forced to release Hill to help facilitate Tagovailoa reaching the max this offseason.
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