With dynasty managers focused on either next year or the fantasy playoffs in most dynasty leagues, we will look at the news through a longer-term lens. In today's "Dynasty News," we examine some of the week's larger happenings from a dynasty perspective. This is the time of year savvy dynasty managers can add value at a discount.
Dynasty News: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Last Tuesday, coach Mike McDaniel was asked about the immediate future of his star quarterback. McDaniel responded:
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on the possibility of a QB change after Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles: “Everything is on the table.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 16, 2025
Said the QB play last night wasn’t good enough. More clarity Wednesday.
Jordan Schultz added one small detail that coach McDaniel has been contemplating making this move:
The #Dolphins backup situation includes Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers. A decision on a potential change is expected soon.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 16, 2025
My understanding is a QB change has been considered previously by the coaching staff. https://t.co/JCoJSPlcD4
With Zach Wilson serving as Tagovailoa's backup for most of the year, he was expected to get the start against Cincinnati this past Sunday, but the coach chose his seventh-round rookie. Many may not remember, but Ewers was the top quarterback in his class coming out of high school. Now, Tagavailoa's NFL future is very much in doubt. He has two flaws that will need to be addressed long-term: 1) the ability to play well in the cold and 2) working through his progressions more speedily. However, Miami now has a large decision. Here is more context on Tagovailoa's contract:
Tua Time’s Up: The Dolphins are benching QB Tua Tagovailoa and will start rookie Quinn Ewers on Sunday, sources tell The Insiders.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 17, 2025
Tagovailoa is due $54 million fully guaranteed in 2026. But his future in Miami is now clearly up in the air. pic.twitter.com/ZzO3gnlouS
Adam Schefter added:
The numbers game:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2025
Tua Tagovailoa already has $54 million guaranteed to him in 2026.
On March 15, $3M of his 2027 salary becomes guaranteed.
Cutting him would leave $99M in dead money.
Post June 1 cut would equal $67.4M in dead money in 2026, $31.8M in 2027. https://t.co/DowBg5XZCR
And overhtecap.com's Jason Fitzgerald tweeted what most are just now realizing:
Tua has $54 million already guaranteed for 2026. Unless Miami plans on cutting him, which would lead to nearly $100M in dead money, Im not sure what benching him would accomplish at this point
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) December 16, 2025
Fitzgerald is correct. McDaniel has been on the hot seat for several weeks and makes the move to the seventh-rounder. This quarterback change leads us to think McDaniel will keep his job and wants to see what he has in Ewers. The bypassing of Wilson is interesting and likely says more about him than Ewers. As for Tagovailoa, the best move would be to keep him as the backup next season and bring in a rookie, but it looks like the organization is ready to move on, regardless of the high cost. While appearing on the Rich Eisen show, Tom Pelissero stated, Tagovailoa, "in all likelihood, has played his final down" for the Dolphins.
💻 @TomPelissero
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) December 19, 2025
A major shift in Miami went down this week — why exactly was Tua benched in his sixth season?#NFL #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/rbWX2kIDOY
It is unlikely that the Dolphins will be able to trade Tagovailoa with that massive contract, so a release should be coming.
Dynasty News: QB Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris was asked about next year's starting quarterback and gave a very interesting answer:
Future of the QB position. "Everything is on the table," #Falcons coach Raheem Morris said.
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) December 17, 2025
This answer offers ambiguity to Michael Penix Jr.'s hold on the starting job. Yes, he is injured and will likely not be healthy for week one, but the coach had a chance to say "Michael is our guy" and did not. The doubt is understandable as Penix was middling this season, before the injury. To put it into perspective, his per-game stats are not too dissimilar to those of Kirk Cousins. Penix's left ACL tear is his third, with the other two occurring to his right knee. Cousins' 4-year, $180 million contract, signed two years ago, has a potential void after this season, leaving only $35 million in dead cap, which would be his salary if staying in Atlanta. Another interesting aspect is that coach Morris may be gone after the season, so suggesting who may - or may not - be the 2026 starter is all conjecture. With Kyle Pitts Sr. a free agent after the season, the Falcons' offense could look very different next season.
Dynasty News: QB Anthony Richardson Sr., Indianapolis Colts
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