What Happened to Tua Tagovailoa?
Tua Tagovailoa is an American professional football quarterback who gained prominence at the University of Alabama before being drafted by the Miami Dolphins. After a career marked by flashes of brilliance, significant injury concerns, and a decline in performance in 2025, he was released by the Dolphins and signed with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2026, where he is currently competing for the starting quarterback position.
Quick Answer
Tua Tagovailoa, after a six-season tenure with the Miami Dolphins marked by both record-setting performances and recurring concussion issues, was released by the team in March 2026. He subsequently signed a one-year, veteran minimum contract with the Atlanta Falcons. As of August 14, 2026, Tagovailoa is slated to start the Falcons' first preseason game and is considered the favorite to be the Week 1 starter due to an injury to fellow quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in ʻEwa Beach, Hawaii
Tuanigamanuolepola Donny Tagovailoa was born in ʻEwa Beach, Hawaii.
CFP National Champion with Alabama
As a freshman, Tagovailoa led the Alabama Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship.
CFP National Championship Game Offensive MVP
Tagovailoa was named the Offensive MVP of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Season-ending Hip Injury at Alabama
Tagovailoa suffered a dislocated right hip with a posterior acetabular wall fracture, requiring surgery and ending his collegiate career.
Drafted by Miami Dolphins (5th Overall)
Despite injury concerns, the Miami Dolphins selected Tua Tagovailoa as the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Led NFL in Passer Rating
Tagovailoa led the National Football League in passer rating during the 2022 season.
First Controversial Concussion vs. Bills
Tagovailoa sustained a head injury against the Buffalo Bills, which sparked controversy after he returned to the game despite exhibiting ataxia.
Second Controversial Concussion vs. Bengals
Just four days after the first incident, Tagovailoa suffered another severe concussion against the Cincinnati Bengals, leading to his hospitalization and significant changes in NFL concussion protocols.
Led NFL in Passing Yards & Pro Bowl Selection
Tagovailoa had a career-best season, leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards and earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
Led NFL in Completion Percentage
Tagovailoa finished the 2024 season leading the NFL in completion percentage (72.9%).
Concussion vs. Bills
Tagovailoa suffered another concussion during a Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills.
Performance Decline and Benched by Dolphins
Tagovailoa's performance declined significantly in 2025, throwing 15 interceptions in 14 games and being benched for the final three games of the season.
Released by Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins officially released Tua Tagovailoa, incurring an NFL-record $99.2 million in dead cap space.
Signs with Atlanta Falcons
Tagovailoa agreed to a one-year, veteran minimum contract with the Atlanta Falcons, seeking a fresh start.
Named Starter for Falcons' Preseason Opener
Tua Tagovailoa is named the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons' first preseason game, positioning him as the likely Week 1 starter due to Michael Penix Jr.'s injury.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Tuanigamanuolepola Donny Tagovailoa, widely known as Tua, first rose to national prominence as the quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He led Alabama to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017, earning Offensive MVP honors in the championship game. His collegiate career, however, was also marred by significant injuries, most notably a dislocated right hip with a posterior acetabular wall fracture in November 2019, which ended his final college season.
Despite injury concerns, Tagovailoa was selected fifth overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2020 NFL Draft. His time with the Dolphins was a rollercoaster of high expectations, impressive statistical stretches, and recurring health issues. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $30 million in May 2020. In 2022, Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating, and in 2023, he led the league in passing yards with 4,624, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. He also led the league in completion percentage in 2024.
A significant aspect of Tagovailoa's Dolphins career was his history of concussions. He sustained multiple documented concussions, including two controversial incidents in consecutive weeks during the 2022 season, which sparked widespread debate about player safety and led to changes in NFL concussion protocols. Another concussion occurred in Week 2 of the 2024 season. These repeated head injuries raised concerns about his long-term health and durability.
The 2025 season saw a notable decline in Tagovailoa's performance. He played in 14 games, throwing for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and a career-high 15 interceptions, with his passer rating dropping to 88.5. He was eventually benched for the final three games of the season. This decline, coupled with his injury history and a new regime in Miami, led the Dolphins to move on. In February 2026, it was widely reported that the Dolphins would release him.
On March 9, 2026, the Miami Dolphins officially released Tagovailoa, a move that resulted in an NFL-record $99.2 million in dead money against their salary cap, spread over two years. Shortly after his release, Tagovailoa signed a one-year, veteran minimum contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He joined the Falcons with the expectation of competing for the starting role, particularly as Michael Penix Jr., another Falcons quarterback, was recovering from a torn ACL suffered in November 2025. As of August 14, 2026, Tagovailoa has been named the starter for the Falcons' first preseason game and is considered the likely Week 1 starter for the 2026 NFL season, aiming to rebuild his stock in a new offensive scheme.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Tua Tagovailoa made different choices?