Three Teams That Should Avoid Tua Tagovailoa in 2026

As the 2025 NFL season draws to a close, the league is already bracing for a quarterback-driven offseason. Several franchises find themselves in need of a signal-caller, prompting speculation about potential veteran additions. Among the names circulating, Tua Tagovailoa stands out—but not for the right reasons.

Despite flashes of talent, Tagovailoa has struggled on the field with the Miami Dolphins and remains a questionable long-term option due to persistent durability concerns. His history of concussions and knee issues has made teams wary of investing significant resources in him.

Financially, Tagovailoa’s contract is daunting. With a $39.2 million cap hit in 2025 and a $56.4 million salary projected for 2026, acquiring him would place a heavy burden on any organization, limiting flexibility to strengthen other areas of the roster.

For teams looking to build sustainable success, the combination of health risks and contract size makes Tagovailoa a poor fit. Here’s a closer look at three franchises that would be wise to avoid pursuing him.

1. Cleveland Browns: Protecting the Draft Plan

The Browns enter the offseason with a clear need at quarterback, but targeting Tua would be counterproductive. Cleveland invested significant draft capital in 2025, selecting Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders to develop a long-term solution internally. Adding Tua’s contract—particularly with the 2026 salary guarantee—would severely restrict the team’s ability to address other roster priorities. It would also undermine the careful quarterback-building strategy the organization has committed to. Durability concerns compound the financial risk. Tua has suffered multiple concussions between 2022 and 2024, raising serious doubts about his availability over the next several seasons. For a team seeking a franchise quarterback to lead the roster for years, a veteran stop-gap with injury red flags would be a major setback. Cleveland’s focus should remain on grooming young talent rather than taking a risky detour.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers: Avoiding Short-Term Fixes

The Steelers face a unique quarterback dilemma, with Aaron Rodgers nearing 42 and Mason Rudolph serving as the primary backup. While the team may need a transition plan, Tua is not the solution. Pittsburgh has historically emphasized developing talent and making measured roster moves. Tagovailoa does not align with that philosophy, as his combination of health uncertainty and inconsistent performance offers little long-term value. Financially, acquiring Tua would be nearly impossible. By March 2025, his 2026 salary becomes guaranteed, equating to roughly $54 million in cap space. Absorbing that burden would compromise the team’s ability to remain competitive in the AFC North. The Steelers would be better served pursuing draft prospects or younger veteran options with upside, rather than taking on a high-cost, high-risk veteran whose track record offers no guarantee of durability or production.

3. New York Jets: Staying Committed to Rebuild

The Jets have already faced their share of quarterback setbacks in recent years. After struggling with Justin Fields, the organization is focused on identifying a high-upside, long-term solution rather than repeating past mistakes. Acquiring Tagovailoa would lock New York into a massive financial obligation, with a contract running through 2028, severely limiting flexibility to address other needs. His history of injuries makes him a particularly poor fit for a franchise seeking stability. The Dolphins’ willingness to commit $212.4 million over four years to Tagovailoa should serve as a cautionary tale rather than a model for emulation. The Jets’ front office is better off remaining committed to a draft-focused rebuild and prioritizing younger talent. Ultimately, New York needs to avoid the temptation of an established-but-injury-prone veteran and focus on solutions that align with a sustainable long-term plan.