1 of 5 | Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) is entering the final year of his rookie contract. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
The Miami Dolphins plan to keep De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle, but are open to a Tua Tagovailoa trade, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said Tuesday in Indianapolis.
Sullivan’s comments came amid continued trade speculation around the franchise, which faces major salary cap complications this off-season.
The Dolphins released wide receiver Tyreek Hill last week, resulting in a dead salary cap hit of $28.2 million next season.
Tagovailoa, who was benched last season, signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension in 2024. Releasing the quarterback before June 1 would result in a $99 million dead salary cap hit. A post-June 1 release would result in a $67 million hit.
Sullivan said “you could make it work, but it’s not likely,” when asked about the possibility of the Dolphins facing Tagovailoa’s $99 million cap hit. He said the Dolphins spoke to Tagovailoa and his representatives, whom have not requested a trade, and that “everything is on the table.”
Meanwhile, the names of star running back De’Von Achane and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle continue to circulate in trade rumors — but Sullivan said phone calls on the weapons aren’t being initiated by the Dolphins.
Achane, who is entering the final season of his rookie pact, also is interested in a contract extension. Sullivan touted both Waddle and Achane for their skills and said the Dolphins are not “actively trying to move” either player in a trade, but would listen to offers.
“He’s a marvelous player,” Sullivan said of Achane. “We want him to be part of this thing moving forward. We are kinda focused on what’s at hand, which is free agency and the draft. We will have those [contract] conversations with him and some other guys down the road, but that’s going to be later in the summer.”
Waddle, 27, signed a three-year, $84.75 million contract extension in 2024. He caught 64 passes for 910 yards and six scores over 16 starts last season and now will be looked at as the leader of the wide receivers room.
“Jaylen is a very good football player, that goes without saying,” Sullivan said. “He’s still a difference maker. He is somebody that can help us win football games. My vision is for Jaylen to be part of this.
“[But] just so you guys know how I operate, any time the phone rings, I think I have an obligation to pick up the phone and listen, but we are not actively trying to move Jaylen Waddle. Any player I will listen on. It could be the 69th guy or first guy on the roster. When the phone rings, I have an obligation and responsibility to listen and then do what’s best for the Miami Dolphins.”
The Dolphins own eight selections, including No. 11 overall, in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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