The Miami Dolphins have backed Tua Tagovailoa as their quarterback publicly despite his underwhelming conclusion to the 2023-24 campaign, but will their offseason actions follow suit?
If general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel chose to move on from Tagovailoa, it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen a professional sports organization pull a 180 after showing a player support. After all, offseason tides are constantly shifting, and you never know who might become available.
For example, Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings explored a world where the Chicago Bears trade away starting quarterback Justin Fields during a new seven-round mock draft on January 20. With top ranked QB prospect Caleb Williams officially declaring for the NFL draft, Chicago could opt for a reset at the position and Cummings liked the Dolphins as a landing spot for Fields — using a third team to complete the deal.
Below are the details of Cummings’ high risk trade proposal:
Denver Broncos get: Tua Tagovailoa & Dolphins 2024 fifth.
Dolphins get: Justin Fields, Broncos 2024 third, Broncos 2025 second.
Bears get: Dolphins 2024 sixth, Dolphins 2025 third, Broncos 2025 sixth.
So, to summarize that better for Dolphins supporters — Miami would flip Tagovailoa, this year’s fifth and sixth and next year’s third for Fields, a third this year and a second rounder next year.
In this deal, the Dolphins actually gain draft value with two day two selections coming in and one departing. They’d also shed cap space going from Tagovailoa to Fields, creating approximately $17.166 million in savings.
Of course, Tagovailoa is the more proven commodity at this stage of his career, but Fields might have the higher ceiling of the two — and that’s the key for a Dolphins team with a narrow Super Bowl window.
NFL Writer Explains Dolphins-Bears Trade Theory Involving Broncos, Tua Tagovailoa & Justin Fields
This is quite the wild trade proposition from Cummings, but the PFN writer did take the time to explain why his theory is even worth talking about — assuming the Bears draft Williams.
“Fields is still a flawed passer, but there’s no denying his potential in the right system,” Cummings began. “Fields is a quantifiably elite rushing threat at 6’3″, 228 pounds with 4.45 speed, and he ran for 1,143 yards in 2022.”
Continuing: “Fields’ pure physical talent is almost unmatched across the league and at the opposite end of the spectrum from Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa wins with anticipation, accuracy, quick decisions, and sharp processing — but he’s a limited athlete with a limited arm.”
Cummings went on to note that some of these limitations were “exposed” against the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs.
“While Tagovailoa has been productive in McDaniel’s scheme, a decision has to be made: Is he worth an extension? Or will it be a move that stalls the Dolphins out?” The analyst questioned. “Fields and Tagovailoa are both precarious passers… but Fields’ rushing ability would enable McDaniel to do diabolical things with his run scheme. And if insulated well enough with his weapons, Fields could take the next step as a passer.”
Tagovailoa was also pegged as a scheme fit for Sean Payton’s Broncos as the team moves on from Russell Wilson officially.
Considering the deal would turn back the QB clock exactly one season — with Fields entering year four of his rookie contract — potentially add creativity and athleticism to an intelligent scheme and upgrade draft capital, Grier would have to at least consider a trade like this.
