INDIANAPOLIS — New Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan addressed a series of hot-button topics early in his first offseason managing the team’s roster to a small group of South Florida reporters at the NFL scouting combine before taking further questions at a podium.
Sullivan laid out that the Dolphins are open with regards to their plans with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his guaranteed $54 million for 2026.
“The easiest way to answer that is everything’s on the table,” Sullivan said. “A trade is a possibility. Tua is aware. His representation is aware.”
Everything on the table would possibly include a release if the team can’t find a trade partner. If it were to get to that point, Sullivan did not indicate whether pre- or post-June 1 would be the preference and said there are valid arguments for either case.
Designating Tagovailoa a post-June 1 cut would spread the $99.2 million dead cap hit over two years, with most of it coming this offseason. Taking it all on in 2026, he said, would be difficult to make work financially.
Sullivan said, from Tagovailoa and his representation, what the team has heard is he wants to play.
When Sullivan spoke at his introductory news conference with new coach Jeff Hafley last month, he avoided answering specifically as to a plan on Tagovailoa as he hadn’t spoken with him at that point.
Also, Sullivan comes to Miami with previous ties to Malik Willis, one of the hottest quarterbacks in free agency this offseason, from time together with the Green Bay Packers.
Sullivan said the team has discussed Willis, but he’s merely one of many that could be in the plans.
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“Have we had conversations about Malik? I think anybody who’s potentially in the quarterback market would be lying if they said they were not,” Sullivan said.
Like with Tagovailoa, the Dolphins are also active in trade conversations involving safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
“I’d kind of throw him in the same bucket as Tua,” Sullivan said. “Everything is on the table with Minkah.”
Sullivan looked back on the cut of Tyreek Hill, mentioning financials, injury and age all played a factor in his release. He called Hill a phenomenal, Hall of Fame-caliber.
“The best thing for the Miami Dolphins was to move forward,” Sullivan said. “My gut tells me that we have not seen the last of Tyreek Hill.”
He said of also releasing guard James Daniels: “Availability’s the best ability. … He probably needed a fresh start and so did we.”
The Dolphins are open to conversations with running back De’Von Achane, linebacker Jordyn Brooks and center Aaron Brewer over contract extensions, but those will occur later, in the summer.
When it comes to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who was already signed to an extension in 2024, Sullivan said he would prefer to keep him around.
“Jaylen is a very good football player. My vision is for Jaylen to be part of this,” Sullivan said. “We are not actively trying to move Jaylen Waddle.”
He said, however, it is his job to listen to teams when they ask about any player.
Sullivan said he will approach the draft with a “best-player-available” approach.
“We’re not looking for quick fixes here,” he said. “We’re looking for something that will last a long time.
“The simplest way to say it is I want good football players.”
This story will be updated.
