Dolphins Release Tua, $99M Hit
The Miami Dolphins released Tua Tagovailoa, absorbing a record $99.2M dead cap hit while handing the keys to Malik Willis. Meanwhile, the Steelers traded for Pittman Jr. as their WR1 upgrade, and the Chiefs traded Trent McDuffie to the Rams for a first-round pick and additional selections.
The $99.2 million dead cap hit the Dolphins absorbed for Tua Tagovailoa is the largest in NFL history, surpassing the $85 million hit the Denver Broncos took for Russell Wilson in 2024. Miami will designate the release as a post-June 1 cut, allowing them to spread the financial impact over two seasons: $67.4 million in 2026 and $31.8 million in 2027. Tagovailoa's release comes less than two years after he signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid player in franchise history. The quarterback, who led the NFL in passing yards in 2023, is reportedly signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. New Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract with $45 million guaranteed. A third-round pick by the Titans in 2022, Willis spent the last two seasons with the Green Bay Packers, where in limited action he completed 78% of his passes for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Steelers' acquisition of Michael Pittman Jr. addresses a significant need for a legitimate WR2 to pair with DK Metcalf. Pittsburgh immediately signed the 28-year-old receiver to a new three-year, $59 million contract. Last season, the Steelers' receiving corps behind Metcalf was a rotating cast of veterans and younger players. By trading Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs continue a strategy of dealing a star player for significant draft capital, similar to their 2022 trade of Tyreek Hill. The trade sends the two-time Super Bowl champion and 2023 First-team All-Pro to his hometown of Los Angeles. The Rams, after falling one game short of the Super Bowl last season, aggressively addressed their biggest weakness by acquiring McDuffie. They immediately signed him to a four-year, $124 million extension, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The deal includes $100 million in guaranteed money.
