Tua Tagovailoa expresses gratitude for his time with the Dolphins and confesses his biggest regret in Miami: "I will always wish I had made it"

The most expensive divorce in NFL history became official on Monday, as the Miami Dolphins announced the release of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

This drastic financial reset signals the end of a six-year era that began with high hopes in 2020 but ultimately succumbed to a lack of postseason success and a precipitous decline in 2025.

General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who took over the front office in January, addressed the move with a focus on a total roster overhaul.

"I recently informed Tua and his representation that we are going to move in a new direction at the quarterback position," Sullivan said in an official statement.

A legacy of high volume and heavy hits

Tagovailoa's tenure in Miami will likely be remembered as a polarizing mix of elite statistical production and frustrating physical setbacks. Under former head coach Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards in 2023 with 4,624 and a career-best 29 touchdowns, earning a four-year, $212.4 million extension in July 2024.

However, the momentum stalled in 2025; after throwing a career-worst 15 interceptions in 14 starts, Tagovailoa was benched for the final three games in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers.

Following Sullivan's announcement, Tagovailoa took to Instagram to share a highlight reel and a lengthy farewell to the city that drafted him fifth overall.

"From the moment I arrived, you believed in me, supported me, and embraced my family as your own. Wearing this jersey and representing this city has been one of the greatest joys of my life," Tagovailoa wrote.

The quarterback also expressed his appreciation in the comment section, writing, "From my first start I had, to the first touchdown I threw I'm grateful for all of it. As I prepare for the next chapter, I move forward with gratitude, faith, and memories I'll cherish for a lifetime."

Despite his gratitude, the cold reality remains that the Dolphins failed to secure a divisional title or a playoff victory during his six years as the primary starter.

The "Tua era" concludes with a career record of 44-32 as a starter, leaving a South Florida fan base divided over his impact.

Tagovailoa now enters free agency as a 28-year-old former Pro Bowler, likely seeking a "fresh start" on a veteran minimum deal as teams weigh his flashes of star power against a long medical file.