In the wake of the most recent concussion suffered by Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, calls for his retirement have gained momentum. Among those advising him to hang up his cleats are Amazon Prime’s Tony Gonzalez and Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce.
Decision to Retire: A Complex Path
As described last night, Tua’s decision to retire would come only after being medically cleared to play, yet deciding not to. Before he can hang it up, doctors must determine if he can be cleared despite enduring three official (and unofficially at least four) concussions, including some severe enough to cause the fencing posture.
The Financial Considerations
On one hand, this isn’t the time to talk about money; on the other hand, it’s an elephant in the room that’s impossible to ignore. A peek into his contract reveals standard language that offers no special terms or exceptions for concussions. Despite the gravity of repeated concussions, the contract remains silent on the matter, meaning all injury guarantees stand even if the injuries are concussions. Therefore, the consequences for Tua retiring after just two games into a five-year contract are the same as for any other player.
A Closer Look at the Contract
This contract, like a fortress built on dollars and cents, carries over $167 million in injury guarantees. Additionally, Tua secured a $42 million signing bonus at the outset of this deal. It’s structured for payments of $15 million before August 31, 2024, another $15 million before October 15, 2024, and the remaining $12 million split across his 18 weekly game checks.
The Consequences of Retirement
If Tua chooses the path of retirement after clearance, he stands to lose the remaining guarantees. Furthermore, the Dolphins could potentially exercise their right to reclaim unearned signing bonus money, which would amount to $8.4 million for each remaining year on the contract through 2028, alongside $466,667 for each game left in 2024 post-clearance. Those figures aren’t just numbers—they’re potential landmines in Tua’s financial landscape, urging him to consider every step carefully.
- 167 million Dollars – The weight of injury guarantees.
- 42 million Dollars – The signing bonus already pocketed.
- 8.4 million Dollars – Yearly potential reclaim by the Dolphins.
- 466,667 Dollars – Game-by-game reclaim potential.
Dolphins’ Financial and Roster Implications
The Dolphins aren’t just passively waiting on the sidelines; they face the prospect of shelling out more than $167 million over the next three years if Tua remains unfit to play. These dollars also translate to cap space that wouldn’t be available for other players, a challenging scenario for any team’s roster planning.
An Awkward Dance
What now lies ahead is an awkward dance between player and team. A potential compromise could involve Tua retiring but Miami retaining half of the $167 million. However this saga unfolds, everyone has known that Tua was always just one snap away from a concussion that would bring his football career under the microscope. Intriguingly, the contract between Tua and the Dolphins offers no special clause for concussions, providing neither special rights for Tua nor the team if he can’t be cleared to play or decides to retire despite being cleared.
As the NFL world holds its breath, the decisions made in the coming days will ripple through the league, with each choice carrying monumental implications for Tua’s career and the Dolphins’ future.
