MIAMI GARDENS, FL — As the Miami Dolphins prepare to host the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday, a bombshell report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reframed the matchup from a standard Week 16 contest into a haunting “what if” for the South Florida franchise. According to league sources, the Dolphins were once willing to move heaven and earth to land the very quarterback they are set to face: Joe Burrow.
The report reveals that leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft, Miami made an unprecedented play for the No. 1 overall pick. Armed with a war chest of draft capital, the Dolphins reportedly offered the Bengals a staggering four first-round picks in exchange for the right to select the LSU standout. Cincinnati, however, refused to even entertain the conversation, effectively shutting down the blockbuster inquiry before it could gain traction.
Suspicious Timing Amidst a Quarterback Crisis
While the historical context is fascinating, the timing of the leak is what has NFL insiders buzzing. The story emerged just days after the Dolphins officially benched Tua Tagovailoa, demoting the former first-round pick to the third-string spot on the depth chart.
With rookie seventh-rounder Quinn Ewers set to make his first career start today against Burrow’s Bengals, the sudden revelation of Miami’s 2020 desperation suggests a calculated effort to distance the organization from the Tagovailoa era. Tagovailoa, who signed a massive $212.4 million extension in 2024, has struggled mightily in 2025, leading the league with 15 interceptions and overseeing an offense that has regressed significantly.
The Looming Financial Fallout
The fallout of the Tagovailoa era carries catastrophic financial implications. If the Dolphins decide to release the quarterback in the upcoming offseason, they face a staggering dead cap charge of $99.2 million.
To navigate this “cap hell,” rumors are intensifying that the team may be forced to release star wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Hill, who has been the engine of the Miami offense since his arrival, currently carries a 2026 cap hit of over $51 million with no remaining guaranteed money. Cutting the “Cheetah” would save Miami roughly $23.6 million in cap space, money desperately needed if the team intends to eat a portion of Tagovailoa’s contract to facilitate a trade or an outright cut.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
The contrast on the field today couldn’t be sharper. On one sideline stands Joe Burrow, the franchise savior Miami coveted but couldn’t buy. On the other, a “dysfunctional” quarterback room where a seventh-round rookie is being asked to save a season that has already slipped away.
For Miami, the 2020 draft was supposed to be the foundation of a dynasty. Instead, as the details of their failed Burrow pursuit come to light, it serves as a reminder of the thin line between a championship vision and a salary cap nightmare. Today’s game is more than just a Week 16 matchup; it is a confrontation with a ghost from the past that continues to haunt the Dolphins’ future.