Steelers Find Out Price To Steal Controversial Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation is murky once again heading into the 2026 offseason. After the 2025 season, long-time head coach Mike Tomlin stepped away from coaching, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers is still debating whether he wants to play another season in the NFL, either in Pittsburgh or by hanging up his cleats for good. Adding to the intrigue, Rodgers’ former head coach, Mike McCarthy, is set to take over in Pittsburgh, which has fueled speculation that Rodgers could return for one more ride with the Steelers.

Beyond Rodgers, the Steelers face a number of other options at the position. They could roll the dice on Will Howard, giving him the keys to the offense to see what he can do, or continue developing Mason Rudolph as a backup plan. Another possibility is to target the quarterback market through the draft, potentially selecting a rookie who could become the long-term solution under McCarthy’s system. Each option carries risk, and the Steelers’ front office will have to weigh immediate needs against long-term development.

Adding another layer to the quarterback drama is the possibility of a trade involving Tua Tagovailoa. NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed on Tuesday while speaking with Rich Eisen the price tag the Miami Dolphins would demand for the controversial quarterback. While a trade for Tagovailoa wouldn’t be the most exciting option for Pittsburgh, the prospect of landing a Pro Bowl signal-caller has already sparked speculation about whether Pittsburgh could make a bold move to secure its future under center.

"Ok, so first, the Tua part of it," Rapoport said. "If they are gonna do a trade, they are gonna eat a lot of the salary. So it would really be like, can they save $5-10 million and get some sort of draft pick? Like a mid-round pick or something like that. Either way, cap-wise, it stings. This is a problem…"

Tagovailoa entered the NFL with heavy expectations to become a franchise quarterback. His first two seasons were far from convincing, but he showed significant improvement in 2022, passing for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He followed that up with an even stronger 2023 season, throwing for 4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

In July 2024, Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with the Dolphins, averaging $53.1 million per year with $167.17 million guaranteed. 

The deal runs through 2028 and includes a $54 million guarantee for 2026, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid players. It was clear that his performance in 2022 and 2023 convinced the Dolphins to invest heavily, positioning him among the league’s elite earners.

Steelers Trading For Tua Tagovailoa Starting To Pick Up Momentum

However, Tagovailoa has not consistently played to that level recently, and the Dolphins are now looking to fully rebuild. Many analysts argue that Miami overpaid, especially considering concerns about his concussion history. According to Rapoport, the Steelers could potentially use one of their 12 draft picks to acquire Tagovailoa, with Miami likely absorbing the bulk of his salary. 

While some Steelers fans may be hesitant, particularly given Tagovailoa’s mixed performance in cold-weather games, the idea of him in Pittsburgh has intriguing possibilities and is likely to gain more traction in the media in the coming weeks.

As for how Steelers fans should feel about the idea of trading for Tagovailoa, opinions are mixed. At one point, he was viewed as a star quarterback in the league, but the last two seasons have changed that perception quickly. If Pittsburgh can acquire him without taking on the full financial burden, he might be worth the risk.

Please feel free to share your Steelers takes and thoughts with me on X (@anthonyghalkias) and consider following for more Steelers-related content and discussion. I read and respond. 

#SteelerNation