Tua Tagovailoa Contract Looks Worse as Brock Purdy Joins NFLs $50M Club
The Miami Dolphins might be having buyer’s remorse. Less than a year after handing Tua Tagovailoa a massive contract extension worth $53.1 million annually, the NFL quarterback market has taken another major turn — and it’s not favoring Miami.
On Friday, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy signed a five-year, $265 million extension, averaging $53 million per year. That deal now puts Purdy right in line with Tagovailoa, Jared Goff, and Justin Herbert, creating a clear new threshold for quarterback salaries.
The issue? Tua spent a significant portion of the 2024 season on the sidelines, dealing with injuries while his backups carried the offenseWhile he was active in mentoring and supporting teammates, it’s a far cry from the kind of production expected from a quarterback commanding over $50 million per season..
Are Tua and Purdy Truly Worth Top-Dollar Deals?
Both Tagovailoa and Purdy are talented, but neither is widely considered elite. Critics have pointed out that Purdy’s Super Bowl run was largely credited to the dominant team around him, while Tagovailoa has struggled with consistency and durability throughout his career.
The contracts highlight a growing issue across the NFL — teams are forced to pay good quarterbacks elite money, simply because of market inflation and fear of starting over at the position. It’s a reality that could cripple rosters financially, especially if the player underperforms or can’t stay healthy.
The Bigger Problem Looming: What Happens Next?
The Purdy and Tagovailoa contracts also raise a critical question: If these QBs are making over $50 million per year, what will the next tier of young stars command? If someone like Jayden Daniels thrives over the next few years, his extension could easily top $60 million annually.
The quarterback market shows no signs of slowing down. But for teams like the Dolphins, who are already facing cap constraints and uncertainty at the position, these contracts could haunt them for years — especially if Tua can’t stay on the field.
