The Dolphins face backlash over Tua Tagovailoa's $212M deal & Jalen Ramsey trade rumors. Can Miami handle the pressure in the 2024 NFL season?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Another Friday in Miami Gardens, and the offseason drama is hitting a fever pitch. Just when you thought the biggest question was how the Dolphins would get tougher, the national media dropped a bomb, labeling Tua Tagovailoa's massive $212 million extension one of the worst deals of the year. The ink is barely dry, and already the pressure is mounting on QB1 to prove he's worth every single penny, all while the team around him is desperately trying to forge a new, more physical identity.
Pat Paul will do his part. I promise you that.
Let's not sugarcoat it: the national consensus on Tua Tagovailoa's new contract is brutal. Analysts across the league are panning the $212 million deal, questioning whether Tua's performance justifies making him one of the highest-paid players in the sport. For fans, it's a tough pill to swallow. We've seen the flashes of brilliance, the pinpoint accuracy, but also the late-season slumps. This contract eliminates all excuses. It's no longer about potential; it's about production. Every throw, every decision will be viewed through the lens of this colossal contract, and it puts immense pressure on both Tua and the front office to deliver a deep playoff run, starting now.
As if the quarterback controversy wasn't enough, star cornerback Jalen Ramsey decided to throw some gasoline on the fire. A cryptic social media post hinting at the Pittsburgh Steelers as a potential trade destination has the fanbase buzzing. Is it just Ramsey being Ramsey, or is there real fire to this smoke? It adds a layer of instability the team doesn't need. This uncertainty extends to the offense, where veteran tight end Jonnu Smith's future is up in the air. He's entering the final year of his deal and has voiced a desire to stay, but without a new contract, he could be another key piece heading for the exit. The front office is clearly willing to make big, potentially unpopular moves.
The front office has heard the noise. For years, the Dolphins have been labeled a 'finesse' team, and sometimes, 'soft.' The 2025 mission is to erase that narrative, and it starts up front. With the legendary Terron Armstead hanging up his cleats, the torch at left tackle is officially passed to second-year man Patrick Paul. Armstead himself gave Paul a massive vote of confidence, promising he'll 'do his part.' The team isn't just relying on Paul; they've brought in veterans Larry Borom and James Daniels and drafted guard Jonah Savaiinaea to bolster the unit. It's a necessary overhaul after last season's blocking woes. Unfortunately, the injury bug has already bitten, with Savaiinaea landing on the June 20 injury report with an undisclosed issue, a situation worth monitoring.
With minicamp in the rearview mirror, the real work begins. The coaching staff now faces the daunting task of whittling this revamped roster down to 53 players. After a turbulent 2024, no job is truly safe, and position battles will be fierce when training camp kicks off. Where do the Dolphins stand in the grand scheme of things? According to Logan Ulrich's latest power rankings, they're a team with high potential but significant hurdles to clear in a tough AFC East. Every roster spot will count if Miami is going to live up to its own expectations and challenge for the division crown.
The storylines are set for a dramatic summer. Can Tua silence the critics and play up to his paycheck? Will the new-look offensive line finally give the offense the physical edge it's been missing? And will stars like Jalen Ramsey even be here to see it through? The pressure is on, the identity is in question, and all eyes now turn to training camp, where the 2025 Miami Dolphins will truly begin to take shape.
