Mike McDaniel’s firing could have a major impact on the Miami Dolphins’ salary cap if it leads to the franchise also parting ways with Tua Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins announced Thursday that McDaniel had been fired after four seasons as head coach.
Miami will now need to decide if Tagovailoa is returning for a seventh season with the franchise.
Tagovailoa already holds $54 million in guaranteed money for 2026, with another $3 million set to kick in on March 15, per Spotrac.
Cutting Tagovailoa from the roster ahead of June 1 would leave the Dolphins on the hook for $99.2 million in dead money for 2026, per Over the Cap.
Designating the quarterback as a post-June 1 cut would allow the Dolphins to split the dead money into $67.4 million in 2026 and $13.4 million in 2027, according to Over the Cap.
Trading Tagovailoa before June 1 would leave the Dolphins with $45.2 million in dead money for 2026, per Over the Cap.
His $56.4 million cap hit for next season, however, will likely limit his trade suitors unless Miami reworks his contract.
This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.
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