Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has high hopes of signing Tua Tagovailoa to a contract extension.
“The goal is to have him long term playing at a high level,” Grier told reporters Monday, including South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Chris Perkins.
Grier added that he stayed in touch and had “good conversations” with Tagovailoa’s agent throughout the year, but the sides never discussed money.
“We’ll work through things and have productive conversations,” Grier said, according to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post.
Tagovailoa will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2024.
The former No. 5 overall pick won a career-high 11 games in 2023 while leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards. His 29 touchdowns were also a personal best, though so were his 14 interceptions.
However, Tagovailoa’s play faltered down the stretch along with Miami’s results. The Dolphins lost four of their last six, including Saturday night’s 26-7 wild-card loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Tagovailoa averaged a season-low 5.1 yards per pass attempt in the defeat.
Head coach Mike McDaniel said the Chiefs’ coverage schemes caused the lack of downfield passes and that it wasn’t a reflection of Tagovailoa, per Pro Football Network’s Adam Beasley.
When asked about giving up play-calling duties, McDaniel responded that nothing is off the table. Grier promised that the team would “look different” next season.
