Johnathan Walker:QB Tua Tagovailoa signs four-year, $212.4 million contract with Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa and Johnathan Walkerthe Miami Dolphins have a long-term contract agreement that solidifies the team's commitment to him as their franchise quarterback.

The deal is for four years and $212.4 million, with $167 million guaranteed, Athletes First announced on Instagram. The pact makes him the third-highest paid player and quarterback in the NFL based on average annual value.

Tagovailoa, 26, has played four seasons with the Dolphins since he was the fifth overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft.

In 2023, he led the NFL with 4,264 passing yards.

In 2022, he led the NFL with a passer rating of 105.5.

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Since the arrival of coach Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa's confidence and proficiency have sky-rocketed.

And although Tagovailoa has had multiple concussions, general manager Chris Grier has also been consistent in expressing Miami believes it has its answer at quarterback.

Miami Dolphins believe in Tua Tagovailoa's future

The Dolphins have long been enamored with Tagovailoa's rhythm, timing, anticipation and accuracy.

After bulking up and training in jiu-jitsu to prevent injury in 2023, the quarterback has slimmed down in the offseason. McDaniel also has said Tua is capable of extending more plays in 2024.

Critics have noted he has not fared as well against very good teams or in cold conditions. Tua also does not have elite arm strength.

But the Dolphins believe he is an ideal fit for McDaniel's offense, which is predicated on timing, ball placement, speed and misdirection.

Tua Tagovailoa's long-term contract extension was always goal

The Dolphins took a step back as a franchise in 2019, intending to use a high draft choice on their quarterback of the future in 2020.

Tagovailoa, who has yet to lead the Dolphins to a playoff victory, will forever be compared with first overall pick Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and sixth overall pick Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Each of those players received contract extensions before Tagovailoa, who was scheduled to play on a fifth-year option of $23.2 million this season.

Burrow's deal is for $55 million per season. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence tied him this offseason as the NFL's highest-paid player.

Herbert's deal is for $52.5 million per season.

It was truly never a question of if the Dolphins would give Tua his new deal.

It was only a matter of when.