After suffering two concussions that sidelined him for five games during the 2022 NFL season, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa admitted he considered retiring. However, he chose to return in 2023, starting every game for the Dolphins and leading the league in passing yards.
In a recent Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa sustained another concussion. While some media figures and members of the NFL community have urged him to consider retiring to avoid long-term damage, NFL Network reported that Tagovailoa has no intention of walking away from the game. Reflecting on his previous contemplation of retirement after the 2022 season, Tagovailoa stated, “I love the game of football, and if I didn’t, I would have quit a long time ago.”
While Tagovailoa’s passion for the game is a major factor in his decision, financial considerations are also significant. Following his stellar 2024 season, the Dolphins rewarded Tagovailoa with a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension. If he chooses to retire voluntarily, he risks forfeiting much of this payout.
Upon signing the contract, Tagovailoa received $93.171 million in guaranteed money, including a $42 million signing bonus, a $1.125 million salary for 2024, a $25.046 million salary for 2025, and a $25 million option bonus due in March 2025. Should he voluntarily retire, the $50.046 million guaranteed for 2025 would be void.
Additionally, his contract includes another $74 million in injury-related guarantees, covering compensation through 2026 and 2027. This includes $54 million for 2026—comprising a $39 million salary and a $15 million bonus—and $20 million of his $36 million salary in 2027. Voluntary retirement would mean Tagovailoa forfeits these sums, bringing the total amount he could walk away from to $124.046 million, not including his non-guaranteed earnings for 2027 and 2028.
However, if Tagovailoa is not medically cleared to return due to his injuries, he could still collect the full $124.046 million without playing another down, as his injury guarantees would remain intact.
