Tua Tagovailoa arrives for Dolphins' OTA despite uncertain future

The 26-year-old's Monday appearance comes after he was absent for most of the team's offseason program.

As reported by Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports on Friday, Tagovailoa's absence was in "stark contrast" to his first four seasons when he was "present for most of the voluntary work." Jones added that his sources believed the absence was "related to his contract status."

The Pro Bowler is slated to play the 2024 campaign on the fifth-year option worth $23.17M attached to his rookie deal.

Tagovailoa had his best (and healthiest) season in 2023, playing in all 17 games and leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards.

The upcoming season is a massive one not only for the former Alabama signal-caller but for all of the Miami squad as well.

The team has made the playoffs as a wild card in each of head coach Mike McDaniel's first two years in South Beach but lost in its first postseason contest.

This could finally be the year where the Dolphins break the longest drought in the league without a playoff win, having last earned a tournament victory during the 2000 season.

Within the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills could take a step back after losing wideout Stefon Diggs and others in the offseason, the New England Patriots are in rebuild mode and the New York Jets are banking on a successful and healthy return of 40-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Miami had a big offseason, picking up safety Jordan Poyer in mid-March when the Bills cut bait while adding wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in early May. 

OBJ will join an already electric offense that includes fellow wideouts Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, a two-headed rushing attack with De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert and Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead.