ESPN’s Adam Schefter downplays concerns over Tua Tagovailoa’s contract negotiations

The twists and turns of offseason contract negotiations!

The Miami Dolphins understand that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s contract negotiations become a distraction once training camp begins in late July. We’re marching through the slowest point of the NFL’s 365-day news cycle, but that hasn’t deterred some from stirring the pot a bit early!

Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

One day after ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported that Tua Tagovailoa had not been offered a “market value” contract — Adam Schefter offered a different view towards the contract negotiations.

“The sides continue talking, both sides wanting to get a deal done,” Schefter said during SportsCenter. “There hasn’t been any team anymore dedicated to its quarterback than Miami and Tua Tagovailoa. Again, the question becomes value — what is the value?

“Trevor Lawrence has established a new baseline value for these two quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa and Jordan Love, at $55 million per year.”

Jared Goff’s four-year extension with the Detroit Lions worth $212 million was the first domino to fall back in May — setting the floor with an average annual salary of $53 million. Lawrence’s deal, which doesn’t kick in until 2026, pushed the equation further in Tagovailoa’s favor.

With the numbers consistently changing, the Dolphins and Tagovailoa are still working towards a contract that works towards both sides. While a deal isn’t imminent, Schefter seems to think it will get done.

“We’re at a quiet time on the NFL calendar,” Schefter continued. “We’ll see if these teams can break through with their quarterbacks.

“I would think, either the week right before training camp or right before the season [a deal gets done].”