Dolphins declare decision on Lamar Jackson, Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is committed to starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in 2023 even though Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson is available this offseason. 

"That's why you pick up a fifth-year option," McDaniel said of Tagovailoa while speaking with Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post. "That's why you, that's how you do it. That's why you pick the option up as soon as you know you're going to. So to, to kind of as opposed to speaking, having an action speak, to really squash any of that an unnecessary direction or chatter." 

It was learned earlier this month that the Dolphins were picking up the fifth-year option worth roughly $23.2M for the 2024 season attached to Tagovailoa's rookie contract. Previously, multiple insiders linked the Dolphins with Jackson, in part because the one-time NFL Most Valuable Player grew up not too far from Miami.

Tagovailoa had a lengthy and worrisome injury history even before he suffered at least two known concussions this past season, and he spent more than a month in concussion protocol following a game against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day. Jackson, meanwhile, has missed 11 games (postseason included) since Week 1 of the 2021 campaign due to injuries.

Interestingly, McDaniel noted that he has stressed to Tagovailoa that the signal-caller is "not able to do anything routine if you're not available" during a season. 

"Tua is one of the fastest learners I've ever been around in life," McDaniel added. "So I'm excited to see what that produces and where we're able to help him help himself."

Jackson is eligible to talk with other clubs while on the non-exclusive franchise tag, but Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio pointed out that the Dolphins currently can't negotiate with the 26-year-old because they don't have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. Baltimore can receive two first-round choices for Jackson if the club chooses not to match any offer he accepts, but it sounds like he won't be hearing from Miami this spring or summer.