The AFC East quarterback carousel is spinning faster than a blitzing edge rusher, and one division rival is already doing its homework. As the Miami Dolphins appear headed toward a costly divorce with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the New York Jets are quietly conducting their due diligence on the former first-round pick, according to league reports.
A Familiar Foe in the Shadows
The Jets, who face Tagovailoa twice every season, aren't just watching from afar. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports the organization is actively "making some calls to get the fullest sense of who Tua is as a person" as they evaluate their 2026 quarterback options. This isn't casual interest—it's targeted reconnaissance on a player who could soon be available at a bargain price.
Tagovailoa's potential availability stems from a perfect storm in Miami. After leading the league in interceptions last season (trailing only Geno Smith despite missing a game), and with a massive $212.4 million contract extension from 2024 complicating the Dolphins' salary cap, a post-June 1 release appears increasingly inevitable. The financial mechanics make Tagovailoa particularly attractive to other teams.
The Financial Appeal
"Tua Tagovailoa — sort of like Kyler Murray — in that if he gets cut, he is gonna be available for potentially the veteran minimum to come in and be a starting-caliber quarterback. So financially it makes a lot of sense," Garafolo explained on "Good Morning Football." This creates a rare opportunity: acquiring a proven starter without the cap-crippling contract that made him expendable in the first place.
For the Jets, the calculus is particularly interesting. With multiple options to consider for their future under center, Tagovailoa represents both a known quantity and a potential reclamation project. Having faced him twice annually, the Jets' coaching staff has extensive tape on his strengths and weaknesses within the division. Their "homework" appears focused on the intangibles—leadership, work ethic, and how he might fit their locker room culture.
Arizona's Parallel Universe
Tagovailoa isn't the only high-profile quarterback hitting the reset button. In a parallel move, the Arizona Cardinals informed former first overall pick Kyler Murray they plan to release him next week, ending his five-year tenure with the franchise. Murray confirmed the news on social media with a heartfelt message to Cardinals fans.
"To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you," Murray wrote. "I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77 year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us... I am no stranger to adversity, I am prepared for whatever's next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me."
Two Quarterbacks, New Beginnings
The simultaneous availability of Tagovailoa and Murray creates fascinating offseason dynamics. Both were franchise cornerstones just seasons ago. Both will wear new uniforms for the first time in their professional careers next season. Their journeys will be closely watched case studies in how organizations evaluate quarterback talent and fit.
For now, the immediate intrigue centers on the Jets' interest. Would they really bring in a divisional rival's castoff to lead their huddle? In today's NFL, where roster building often involves recycling talent, the answer appears to be a definitive "maybe." The Jets' background checks suggest they're at least willing to consider the possibility, especially if the price is right and their evaluation of Tagovailoa's character and potential proves positive.
One thing is certain: the AFC East landscape could look dramatically different by training camp. If Tagovailoa lands with the Jets, those twice-yearly matchups against Miami would carry extra narrative weight—the kind of football drama that fuels the NFL offseason and keeps fans debating until kickoff.
