Tua Tagovailoa sends message to Dolphins about new contract

Tua Tagovailoa is still waiting for a new contract from the Miami Dolphins, and he appears to be taking a big step to try and make it happen.

Tagovailoa has been absent from the majority of voluntary offseason work, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. The quarterback’s absence is believed to be contract-related as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.

The quarterback’s absence is notable, as he has typically been present even for voluntary work in past offseasons. Things appear to be different now, with Tagovailoa wanting a new deal to extend his contract beyond the roughly $23M fifth-year option he is set to play on.

In February, Tagovailoa voiced his confidence that the Dolphins would sort out a deal with him. That still has not happened, though despite some warnings, there is no indication that Miami is balking at a long-term commitment.

After another quarterback landed a huge contract extension this week, Tagovailoa will want big money. The Dolphins surely know that, but the two sides have not yet been able to get on the same page.