{"id":42671,"date":"2025-04-21T02:27:51","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T02:27:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=42671"},"modified":"2025-04-21T02:27:51","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T02:27:51","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8pre-draft-hot-take-tua-gets-traded","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=42671","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8Pre-Draft HOT TAKE: Tua Gets Traded"},"content":{"rendered":"

I figure, let\u2019s have some fun for a moment.\u00a0 This has crossed my mind several times over the past two weeks.\u00a0 What if the Dolphins are actively looking to trade\u00a0Tua Tagovailoa?\u00a0 Why would they do this, and what teams would be interested?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the why.\u00a0 We can all see now that this team is in the midst of a total rebuild.\u00a0 Any GM or head coach on the hot seat would not be handling the team building this way.\u00a0 They could have restructured Tua\u2019s contract for more cap space to bring in top free agents, but they didn\u2019t.\u00a0 This tells me that Tua\u2019s injury history is the major catalyst for this, while knowing the team would be years away from being really competitive.\u00a0 It would also tell me that Coach McDaniel\u2019s friendships with players, which cloud his judgment, are over.\u00a0 He has to make the tough decisions and do what\u2019s best for the team.<\/p>\n

Now, the interested parties?\u00a0 I have four teams that jump out to me: the Saints, the Giants, the 49ers, and the Steelers.\u00a0 Any trade would include this year\u2019s first-round pick and possibly next year\u2019s, with any combination of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-round picks.<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s start with San Francisco.\u00a0 Right now,\u00a0Brock Purdy\u00a0is looking for top money that he doesn\u2019t deserve.\u00a0 Tua\u2019s contract would be less, and he already knows the system.\u00a0 Intriguing?<\/p>\n

The Giants need a QB, and if\u00a0Shedeur Sanders\u00a0isn\u2019t their guy at three, then perhaps Brian Daboll, who was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama during Tagovailoa\u2019s freshman year in 2017, might like to re-unite.\u00a0 Also, intriguing?<\/p>\n

The Saints need a quarterback now that\u00a0Derek Carr\u2018s health is in major question, and do they really believe in\u00a0Spencer Rattler?\u00a0 With a new head coach in\u00a0Kellen Moore, I think they are going to draft and build their guy.<\/p>\n

Finally, the Pittsburgh Steelers.\u00a0 This one makes the most sense to me, as I think they\u2019re a win-now situation.\u00a0 They have two big receivers, a big tight end, and would love to be a run-first team.\u00a0 The offensive line has gotten better, so they should be able to protect Tua.\u00a0 Tua also adds veteran leadership with zero baggage.<\/p>\n

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Now, if a trade does happen, is\u00a0Zach Wilson\u00a0now the starter?\u00a0 He was oddly paid more than any other backup!\u00a0 Do they draft Shedeur or\u00a0Jaxson Dart?\u00a0 How many additional picks can we get this year? All of our imaginations can run wild!\u00a0 Let\u2019s just leave it at that!<\/p>\n