Tua Tagovailoa joins group of veteran starters who’ll be available for only $1.3 million
When the brand new league 12 months begins and a number of veteran quarterbacks are launched, a number of groups will be in line for a serious cut price.
With the Cardinals owing Kyler Murray $36.8 million, the Raiders owing Geno Smith $18.5 million, and the Dolphins owing Tua Tagovailoa $54 million, every might take a one-year deal for $1.3 million and stick their former groups with the steadiness.
That’s what Russell Wilson did two years in the past, after the Broncos launched him. Denver owed Wilson $39 million. He took a one-year contract for the then-veteran minimal of $1.21 million. (That 12 months, the Steelers finally paid their complete depth chart — Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen — lower than former Pittsburgh backup Mason Rudolph acquired in Tennessee.)
While there’s an opportunity Smith can command greater than $18.5 million, Murray and Tagovailoa will certainly be within the minimum-salary class. It makes each of them extra engaging.
The Vikings will undoubtedly pursue one of them. Other groups will, too. And they every ought to attempt to get a no-trade clause and a no-tag clause, guaranteeing that: (1) they will not be shipped to a different workforce with out having enter within the matter; and (2) they will have a transparent shot at free company if issues go nicely in 2026.
Kirk Cousins, who can even be reduce on Wednesday, has a assure of only $10 million in 2026. Based on its efficiency in 2025, he probably won’t be a minimum-salary possibility. The availability of the opposite three, nevertheless, might make it troublesome for Cousins to discover a touchdown spot. Some groups will be inclined to take a far cheaper possibility in lieu of paying Cousins not less than $20 million for 2026, if no more.
