Dolphins Q&A: Will Tua get a contract extension or play this season on 5th year option?

Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins answer questions from readers.

Q: Will the front office stay strong and have Tua play on the 5th year option? — Dave Harbour on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

It seems things are trending toward a multi-year contract extension for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as opposed to having him play the 2024 season on his fifth-year option. The Dolphins seem to think they have their franchise quarterback and want to secure his services while lowering his salary cap cost. I think it’d be wise to make sure Tagovailoa, who has missed games due to injury in five of the previous six seasons, going back to Alabama, can stay healthy for another season. I think it’d also be wise to make Tagovailoa’s job easier (utilize a No. 3 receiver, utilize a power running game, get the plays to the huddle faster, etc…) but that’s another issue.

Q: ​​Did I hear that right? Eli Apple? horse apple? nah…get a rookie there.. — Grandizer12 on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

Yeah, you heard correctly. I said the Dolphins would be wise to re-sign cornerback Eli Apple. He’s a quality reserve who has starting capabilities, which is a good thing considering the injury issues the Dolphins have had at cornerback the last few years. Look at it this way, if your starting cornerbacks are Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller on the boundary with Kader Kohou in the slot, and you have Apple, Cam Smith and Nik Needham as reserves, you’re doing well at cornerback. 

Q: ​​What’s going on with Odell Beckham that’s all I want to know — Michael Crosby on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

Beckham, the veteran wide receiver who played for Baltimore last season, visited with the Dolphins on Thursday but there’s no word on how the visit went. Beckham could be a No. 3 receiver for the Dolphins, fitting in behind wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and ahead of tight end Jonnu Smith. That’d be a nice four-man receiving rotation that supplies speed, size, toughness, options at short- medium and long distances as well as red zone, short-yardage and goal-line threats. Beckham isn’t the only option for a No. 3 receiver, and he’d likely be costly (probably in the $7-$8 million range), but he’d be a good answer.

Q: ​​If the Fins don’t make the SB this year, I expect the FO to be cleared out — Troy on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

That’s a high bar to jump. It’s been suggested general manager Chris Grier should be held more accountable for the the Dolphins’ outcomes. I’ve suggested the Dolphins should make changes if they don’t win a playoff game. It’s a stretch to think this Dolphins team can basically rebuild its defense and be good enough to beat AFC teams such as Kansas City, Baltimore and Buffalo (and Cincinnati?). To me, the Dolphins could likely claim a successful season if they make it to the AFC Championship. They wouldn’t fulfill their goal of winning the Super Bowl, but it’d likely be considered a successful season.

​​Q: Please ask Grier why we never prioritize the offensive line — zenman1001 on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

The Dolphins have prioritized the offensive line under Grier, but things haven’t worked out for one reason or another. For example, recently they signed left tackle Terron Armstead to a big free agent deal, drafted right tackle Austin Jackson in the first round, ex-right guard Rob Hunt in the second round, center-guard Liam Eichenberg in the second round, and signed free agent center Connor Williams. Having said that, I could see the Dolphins drafting an offensive lineman in either the first or second round this year. 

Q: Berrios is too predictable — can we sign the Buffalo returner who torched us for that punt return lol — Peter McDowell​​ on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk

Returnman/wide receiver Braxton Berrios, who was recently re-signed, has done a decent job for the Dolphins as a punt returner. He’s also done a decent job as a starting slot receiver. Can the Dolphins upgrade? Yes, but it’d cost them and it’s a relatively low-priority role. I like Berrios as a person and a player. Remember, things don’t happen in a vacuum so if you upgrade at punt returner you likely must cut a corner somewhere else.