The 2026 NFL offseason is shaping up to be absolutely wild. It was announced on Monday morning that the Miami Dolphins are moving on from Tua Tagovailoa. Following a rough 2025 season, a late-season benching, and some massive salary cap maneuvering, Tua is hitting the open market in search of a fresh start.
Tua isn’t washed, he’s just 28, has a 4,000-yard season under his belt, and if he lands in the right spot, he could absolutely flourish. With a few QB-needy teams looking for a seasoned starter, here are five teams that could take a chance on Tua in 2026.
The Most Likely Teams to Take a Chance on Tua in 2026
1. Minnesota Vikings
This one feels almost too perfect, doesn’t it? The Minnesota Vikings love a “fresh start” quarterback, with Sam Darnold being a perfect example of that. Reports suggest that J.J. McCarthy hasn’t quite locked down the QB1 spot, and with former Dolphins OC Frank Smith now in Minnesota, there’s instant familiarity.
Minnesota has elite weapons, something that Tua has succeeded with in the past with a healthy Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The catch is that DC Brian Flores is still there, and we all remember how that relationship went in Miami. If they can squash that beef, this is a top landing spot.
2. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are likely looking at a major reset at quarterback. With reports indicating they are likely to move on from Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix dealing with injuries, they will need a proven veteran who can manage a game. Tua could be one of many free agent targets for Atlanta.
The Falcons are also loaded with explosive weapons like Bijan Robinson and Drake London. They play in a dome, which suits a pocket-passing QB with questionable arm strength like Tua. Atlanta could be a low-pressure, high-potential spot to rehabilitate his career.
3. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are moving on from Kyler Murray and they will be looking for a new leader to pilot their offense. Tua can thrive in a structured, short-to-intermediate passing game, which fits the mold of a post-Kyler Cardinals team. Plus, he’d be playing for a new coach in a fresh scheme.
To continue the trend, the Cardinals are also a team with plenty of receiving talent that plays in a dome. He would face some tough competition in the NFC West, but expectations are low in Arizona right now, making it another low-pressure situation where he could have a solid opportunity to exceed expectations.
4. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have been plagued by quarterback inconsistencies and injury issues in 2025. While they might have Daniel Jones or a rookie, bringing in a reliable veteran like Tua to compete or bridge the gap makes a lot of sense.
The Colts have a solid offensive line, a great running back in Jonathan Taylor, and are also another team playing in a dome. Tua could put up big numbers there. It’s a stable environment for a quarterback looking to prove his doubters wrong.
5. New York Jets
Okay, hear me out. The New York Jets love a veteran QB saga, and reports say they are doing their homework on Tua. With plenty of money to burn, they could definitely afford to take a swing on him.
New York would be a high-end, immediate starter opportunity with no guaranteed competition. Two revenge game opportunities against Miami every year has to be appealing to Tua as well. It is a risky, high-reward move for the Jets that could finally stabilize their QB position.
Final Thoughts
Tua himself has hinted that a fresh start elsewhere sounds “dope,” and after the drama in Miami, a change of scenery might be exactly what he needs to get back to his 2023 form. While his contract was a nightmare for the Dolphins, it could be a bargain for a team getting him on a “prove-it” deal.
Some quarterbacks can go anywhere and immediately make a team better, but I do think that Tua needs to be in a perfect situation to succeed. He needs a good line, great weapons, and he needs his home games to be in a dome (or at least a warm-weather environment).
Main Image:Â Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
