Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill has voiced strong support for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa amidst ongoing contract negotiations with the team.
Speaking on SportsCenter, Hill emphasized Tagovailoa’s value, stating, “For people to sit here and try to discredit Tua and say he’s not deserving of a contract is wild to me.” He added, “I feel like he should be one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.”
Tagovailoa, drafted fifth overall by the Dolphins in 2020, enters the final year of his rookie contract. Despite his potential, Miami has yet to offer him a deal comparable to recent contracts for quarterbacks like Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence signed a record five-year, $275-million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in June, while Goff secured a four-year, $212-million contract with the Detroit Lions in May.
Injuries have interrupted Tagovailoa’s NFL journey, limiting his playtime in his first three seasons. However, the 26-year-old showcased significant growth in 2023, leading the league with 4,624 passing yards and achieving career highs of 29 touchdown passes and a 69.3% completion rate.
Hill defended Tagovailoa’s progress, noting, “From Tua’s development and where he’s come from to where he is now, that should speak volumes to a lot of people.” He highlighted the quarterback’s role in distributing plays to Miami’s offensive playmakers.
The 2024 offseason saw a surge in lucrative contracts for wide receivers, setting new benchmarks in the market.
As negotiations continue, Hill expressed optimism about his own contract prospects, hoping the Dolphins will prioritize compensating both him and Tagovailoa appropriately.
