Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, suffered another concussion, raising concerns among the public about his long-term health. The fifth-year signal-caller made contact with Buffalo Bills defender Damar Hamlin while attempting to scramble for a first down in the red zone, and as a result, was ruled out of Thursday night’s 31-10 loss to the Bills.

The event has drawn more attention to the $212.1 million, four-year contract deal he inked over the summer, which includes a $167 million guaranteed payment. Generally speaking, Tagovailoa receives that guaranteed money whether he is cut due to an injury or stays on the team. Conversely, the choice to retire can jeopardise those profits.

He was quickly the target of calls to stay away from online punditry as well as during the game’s Amazon broadcast. “I would think it might be time if that were my son. Tony Gonzalez, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, stated on Thursday night’s Amazon postgame show that this is not something to toy around with. “What is Tua’s future? Here, I’m thinking of retiring.

Prior to the 2022 season, Tagovailoa stated that his family advised him to retire after he was found to have sustained two concussions, one in Week 4 and the second in Week 16. “I would definitely say that, especially considering what transpired with the concussions,” he declared during a recent appearance on The Dan LeBatard Show. “My mother was more affected. You can see why mothers behave in certain ways.

In addition to hip problems and various illnesses, Tagovailoa’s NFL career has seen three confirmed concussions. In 2019, when he was a standout player at Alabama, he also sustained one.

When he stumbled on the pitch in a Week 3 game against the Bills in 2022, the Dolphins received criticism for how they handled the injury. He was cleared to play in Week 4 when the organisation determined that it was a back issue, but he did suffer a concussion against Cincinnati. The NFL and NFLPA decided to change concussion procedures shortly after.

In the unlikely event that there is no resolution and Tagovailoa decides to retire despite having a medical clearance to play, he will forfeit the remaining $124 million in guaranteed money. But he would still receive all of the promised money if he had to resign due to medical reasons.

Of the guaranteed sum, $43 million has already been disbursed in 2024, comprising his $42 million signing bonus and a $1 million basic salary, according to Spotrac. In the past, though, players have been forced to repay prorated amounts of their wage bonuses upon retiring.

In reference to Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, and his $230 million fully guaranteed contract signed in 2022, former Green Bay Packers vice president of player finance Andrew Brandt said, “Guarantees aren’t really guarantees unless you’re Deshaun Watson.” The word “guaranteed at signing” is always crucial.

According to Brandt, the injury guarantee clause in a player’s contract isn’t worth much because it requires the player to miss games in the future due to an injury, and most injuries aren’t serious enough to activate the clause. “An ACL will essentially heal in a year,” he stated. Head traumas become more complex. We haven’t really travelled this route before, I believe.

However, Tagovailoa is not the first NFL athlete to have to make the challenging choice between his immediate desire to return to the game and his long-term health.

Luke Kuechly, the 2020 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, retired at age 29 due to health issues, supposedly leaving $22 million on the table. In addition, he missed ten games as a professional due to three recorded concussions. He announced his choice by saying, “I don’t think it’s the right decision, but I still want to play.”

When Andrew Luck, then 29 years old, decided to retire in 2019, he rejected down the $58 million that was still on his contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Of course, if he had pursued a complete career, he probably would have made more money. Jim Irsay, the owner of the Colts, remarked at the time, “Look, he’s leaving $450 million on the table potentially.”

Indianapolis preserved Luck’s rights by allowing him to keep his roughly $25 million in bonuses.

Calvin Johnson, a wide receiver with the Detroit Lions, forfeited $1.6 million of his previously agreed-upon signing bonus along with the $68 million he was expected to get over the course of the 2016–2019 season when he retired at the age of 30 in 2016.

For the time being, Tagovailoa and his physician will decide the next course of action.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel declared on Friday, “His career is his.” It is not in his best interest to discuss his future. I will beg everyone who truly cares to put that at the absolute bottom of your list of concerns.

This week, there was also discussion over the handling of NFL head injuries in connection with the complaint made by Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy regarding his lack of prompt care after taking a hit to the face. It was determined that Van Noy had an orbital bone fracture. He expressed gratitude for not experiencing a more serious setback.