If Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa isn’t **cleared to play** after his latest concussion, there’s an intriguing path the Dolphins might take to recover some of the whopping **$167 million** in injury guarantees owed to Tua.
The Financial Safety Net: An Insurance Lifeline
In the labyrinth of Tua’s contract, amidst the fine print of Paragraph 42, lies a provision that could be the dolphin’s savior. The Dolphins are authorized to purchase insurance policies that would pay the team up to **$49.3 million** if Tua suffers a football-related injury that forces him into early retirement.
Breaking Down the Coverage
Here’s the kicker: the full **$49.3 million** insurance payout is applicable for any injury occurring from the contract’s inception until the start of the 2025 offseason workout program. Beyond that point, the insurance ceiling drops to **$36.975 million**. It’s like watching a clock tick down, with each year seeing the insurance payout decrease.
This coverage isn’t a blanket insurance scheme. It’s specifically triggered by an injury that puts Tua out of play.
The Million-Dollar Question: To Play or Not to Play?
This brings us to the crux of the matter swirling in the minds of Tua and Dolphins fans alike: Will he get the green light to play? If he’s not cleared, Tua receives his injury guarantees, and the Dolphins walk away with the insurance money.
The Twist in the Tale: A Different Scenario
But wait! Imagine Tua being cleared to play and choosing not to? Now, that’s a whole new ballgame. In this scenario, the Dolphins wouldn’t be able to tap into the insurance funds. Instead, they could cut off future payments and even have the temerity to pursue a hefty chunk of Tua’s **$42 million** signing bonus—a twist of irony that could leave fans and analysts alike jaw-dropped and bewildered. No insurance windfall there!
The Financial Impact: Dolphins’ Potential Losses
Even if the Dolphins manage to snag the **$49.3 million** from the insurance, they’d still be staring down the barrel of a whopping **$120 million** deficit if Tua can’t hit the field post-concussion. Imagine that—in a league where every million counts, this is akin to losing a golden ticket.
So, there you have it. The drama, the tension, the high stakes—will Tua Tagovailoa suit up or watch from the sidelines, and how will this seismic decision ripple through the Dolphins’ strategy? Fans, brace yourselves for a rollercoaster ride!
