Should the Dolphins trade Tua Tagovailoa for Aaron Rodgers?

In the 2020 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers drafted quarterback Jordan Love in the first round. Flash forward to the 2021 off-season, reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers wants to be traded from the Pack. Two questions loom large for the Packers QB situation: Where will Rodgers be traded to (assuming he is)? Is Jordan Love the future signal-caller for the Packers?

I believe a team in the AFC East could answer both of those imminent questions: Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins have been on the fence with the second-year QB Tua Tagovailoa as the future of the franchise. Dolphins were strongly interested in trading for the likes of Deshaun Watson and they also expressed interest in drafting a QB. The Dolphins have loaded up on firepower for the former Alabama QB, but there’s lots of hope and risk in the situation.

The Dolphins could utilize the weaponry on offense and Top 3 defense to a veteran QB’s services this time around. The AFC squad may want to consider trading for the Packers future Hall of Fame QB, who’s fed up with having musical chairs at the WR2 and WR3 spots. Rodgers would have an elite WR in DeVante Parker, one of the top deep threats in Will Fuller, and rookie Jaylen Waddle — who’s drawn comparisons to Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins also have the 14th highest cap space (approximately $13 million). If A-Rod is inclined to being a Dolphin, could the Dolphins make it happen? 

The Dolphins would need to give up A LOT for acquiring Rodgers, as any team would. Yet, if the Packers are interested in Tua on a sizable level, the Dolphins would have significantly less compensation of other non-QB means to cough up. The reported asking price in terms of draft picks is “two first-round picks and a second-round pick”. 

The Packers may not see Tua as a player worthy of his draft selection last year, nor a future Hall of Famer. Nonetheless, Tua undoubtedly has more potential than Jordan Love and the 23-year-old has very similar traits (arm strength, throwing on the arm) to Jordan Love/Aaron Rodgers, which means a smoother scheme transition. By stating the facts above, the Dolphins may likely only have to offer Tua and a first-round pick to Green Bay — assuming the interest from each QB’s talent is high. 

If the Packers were in demand for Tua, a first-round pick, AND a “second or third-round pick”, it may still be worth it from the Dolphins perspective to pull the trade-off. Rodgers will likely not play until he’s 45 like Tom Brady, but the Dolphins are heavily invested in the pieces around the QB right now. Rodgers would inevitably utilize the pieces to maximal production and label the Dolphins as Super Bowl contenders early on.