Going into week 2 of the NFL showdown, the Dolphins were hoping they could continue the winning formula that earned them a comeback win against the Jaguars. However, everything went south in Miami as the Bills ran over the fins on Thursday night football. Although the Dolphins’ performance was a horror show for the fans, something more terrible happened that none of us could have predicted.

Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered his 3rd concussion in two years, which led to him leaving the field in distressing scenes. Covering that incident, which got everyone speaking about Tagovailoa’s health, ex-NFL safety Ryan Clark conveyed a harsh reality on GetUp ESPN. “Tua Tagovailoa has worked to play this game his entire life. So now the Miami Dolphins and the NFL. You are gonna have to step in and not do the right thing and tell someone who has worked for his dream that he shouldn’t play anymore,” Clark shared.

Well, Tua, indeed, is living the NFL dream after racking his career-best numbers in 2023 with 4,624 yards and 29 TDs. He was offered a lucrative contract worth $212.4 million, thereby putting him among the best-paid QBs in the league. But is the dream worth sacrificing his life for? As Hall of Famer TE Tony Gonzalez gave his ultimatum on Prime Video’s post-game show, “I’m thinking retirement here. To me, it seems like a no-brainer. The brain this is something that can affect you long-term. For me, it’s time to move on.”

Moving on might be the best decision for the Dolphins QB as he displayed a similar “fencing” posture to the concussion he suffered against the Bengals in the 2022 NFL season. His arms and hands bending unusually is a symptom of severe head injury, as called by injury expert Marty Jaramillo. Going back to the moment, it was Tua who rushed into Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin head first, thereby colliding against his chest.

Although he managed to walk off the field with light support from the medical staff, Mike McDaniels gave his thoughts about that horrible moment, “not something you ever want to be a part of. My thought was a concern. I was just worried about my guy.” Well, anyone would be horrified after seeing that clash, which could have gone way worse. But the question is, will Tagovailoa consider retirement amid the financials related to it?

How much money will Tua Tagovailoa make if the Dolphins QB decide to call it quits?

As called by Nick Wright, “Tua gets 93M, no questions asked and probably 167 M if he has to retire due to injury.” Well, Wright may not be wrong, considering last summer’s $212.4 million contract with $167.17 million guaranteed might be enough for Tua to hang up his cleats. However, that’s not the only component that can get the Dolphins QB considering retirement.

Tua received a $42 million signing bonus, while $93.17 million is guaranteed to cover his 2024, 2025 and 2025 roster bonus. And that’s not where it finishes, as Tagovailoa would get a further $54 million in March 2025 as part of his guaranteed scheme.

With long-term financial stability, the 26-year-old could easily move away from football, citing health concerns. Moreover, the NFL also offers a retirement plan to players who decide to quit. Well, his benefits don’t end there, as the Dolphins QB would be given a Health Reimbursement Account Plan with a lifetime cap of $450,000. This might be enough to cover his healthcare costs and continue his treatment away from the gridiron.

However, the decision is up to Tua Tagovailoa on whether he continues his NFL dream amid multiple concussions in recent years. Or, he takes away the financial windfall that comes with calling retirement, thereby saving himself from further severe brain injuries.