Tua Tagovailoa‘s four-year contract extension with the Miami Dolphins, valued at $212.4 million, offers significant financial security, especially with $167.17 million guaranteed. This deal places him among the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks.
A key component of this contract is the $42 million signing bonus he received upfront, a common featurTua e in high-value contracts that immediately rewards the player for their commitment.
Meanwhile, the contract ensures that Tagovailoa is guaranteed $93.17 million at signing, which covers his salaries for both 2024 and 2025, as well as a sizable roster bonus for the 2025 season.
How much money will he receive if he decides to end his career?
Furthermore, in March 2025, an additional $54 million of the contract will become fully guaranteed. This structure ensures that, even if Tagovailoa were to retire early, he would still secure a large portion of his earnings.
His contract, designed to offer long-term financial stability, would provide a substantial safety net should he choose to step away from football due to health concerns.
Beyond the contract itself, Tagovailoa would benefit from the NFL’s retirement and insurance packages. The NFL Severance Plan grants players a lump-sum payment within the year following their last game, offering immediate financial support during the transition out of the league.
In addition to this, the Player Insurance Plan provides extended medical coverage for up to five years after retirement, ensuring that players have access to healthcare as they adjust to life after football.
Tagovailoa would also have access to the Health Reimbursement Account Plan, which allows players to save up to $35,000 per credited season, with a lifetime cap of $450,000. This plan offers an extra layer of financial protection for healthcare costs, which could prove invaluable given his history of injuries.
During Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa scrambled for a first down on a fourth-and-4 play but chose not to slide after gaining the necessary yards.
Instead, he collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin, leaving him motionless on the field with his arms stiffened in a troubling posture.
This incident evoked memories of Tagovailoa’s previous concussions, marking the third of his NFL career, including a severe one from the 2022 season against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Tua gets 93M no questions asked and probably 167M if he has to retire due to injury,” Nick Wright noted.
“He fought back from absolutely horrifying concussions to lead the league in passing and earn that contract from the Dolphins. He has to really consider hanging it up after tonight.”
