Tua retirement talk has been swirling like Florida heat ever since that brutal 2022 season. I remember watching one of those games with my son — Tua took a hard hit, and my boy turned to me and asked, “Dad, should he even keep playing?” That moment stuck with me.
We’ve seen legends leave the game on their own terms — and others pushed out by injury. From Simone Biles to Aaron Rodgers, the decision to step away isn’t just about performance — it’s about health, identity, and legacy.
So when Tua retirement headlines started making rounds, I dug in — not just to the rumors, but what this means for him, for fans, and for anyone facing a crossroads in life.
Let’s look past the noise and find out what’s real — and what’s just clickbait.
Key Takeaways
Tua Tagovailoa has not retired from the NFL. Despite multiple concussions and widespread rumors, the Dolphins quarterback confirmed he never considered retirement. He remains committed to playing in 2025, with his fifth-year option locked in. While concerns about his long-term health and future persist, Tua is focused on staying in Miami — and proving he belongs at the top.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
Tua Retirement Rumors — What Did He Really Say?
For months, the internet buzzed with headlines like “Did Tua retire today?” and “Tua Tagovailoa retirement confirmed?” Social media turned speculation into certainty, and fans were left wondering if they’d already seen the last of the Dolphins’ young quarterback.
But here’s the truth: Tua Tagovailoa has not retired from the NFL. In fact, he’s been very clear — he never seriously considered it, despite the heavy concern surrounding his concussions in 2022.
Did Tua Tagovailoa retire or just speak out?
Let’s set the record straight. In a candid interview with CBS Sports, Tua directly addressed the swirling rumors:
“I never thought about retiring,” he said. “That never crossed my mind.”
That quote should have quieted the chatter. But when a player’s health is under the microscope — especially after repeated concussions — fans, analysts, and media can fill in their own blanks. And that’s exactly what happened. Phrases like “Tua announces retirement” and “Tua retires from NFL” made their rounds, even when Tua himself was still suiting up and practicing with purpose.
Tua’s concussion timeline: The hits that raised questions
The confusion wasn’t unfounded. In 2022, Tua’s injury history played out in front of millions:
- Week 3: Tua takes a hard hit against the Bills. Stumbles. Returns to the game.
- Week 4: Four days later, suffers a terrifying concussion against the Bengals. Carted off. The scene is burned into fans’ memories.
- Week 16: Another confirmed concussion. This time, he finishes the game — but symptoms show up later.
That’s three in a single season. And for a 24-year-old quarterback with so much promise, the concern wasn’t just about his next game — it was about his life beyond football.
Fans searched phrases like “Should Tua retire?” and “Tua needs to retire” not out of malice, but worry. Even former pros weighed in, calling for a cautious approach. Suddenly, the question wasn’t if Tua would retire — but when.
Did Tua retire today? What CBS Sports actually reported
The most recent surge in speculation came after CBS Sports published a headline that many misread. It didn’t say Tua retired — it said he rejected the idea.
“Tua Tagovailoa says he never considered retirement, doesn’t want to be the poster boy for concussions.”
— CBS Sports, August 2025
That last part matters. Tua was firm in distancing himself from any narrative that defined him by his injuries. “I understand the risks,” he said, “but I’ve taken all the steps. I feel stronger now than I did before.”
If anything, he’s leaning into football — with new training regimens, a focus on jiu-jitsu (to fall safely), and a mindset that sounds more resolved than ever.
So to be clear: Tua is not retired, he is not retiring today, and his own words confirm it.
Should Tua Retire After Multiple Concussions?
This is the question that won’t go away — not for Dolphins fans, not for doctors, and certainly not for parents watching with their kids. When a young, promising quarterback like Tua Tagovailoa suffers multiple concussions in a single season, it shakes something loose in all of us. We ask ourselves: How much is too much?
Tua himself has said he understands the risks, but his decision to keep playing isn’t one he makes lightly.
What medical experts say about repeat head injuries
Concussions aren’t like torn ligaments or broken bones — they don’t heal in predictable timelines. Repeated trauma, especially without proper recovery, can lead to long-term issues like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), memory loss, and emotional dysregulation. That’s not just career-threatening. It’s life-threatening.
Dr. Ann McKee, a prominent neuropathologist who’s studied the brains of former NFL players, said in an interview, “If you’ve had more than one concussion in a season, you’re at dramatically higher risk for long-term cognitive decline.”
No wonder the phrase “Tua needs to retire” trended on social media in late 2022.
And yet, it’s never that simple — not for the player, and not for the people around him.
Why Tua refuses to be the “poster boy” for NFL concussions
“I don’t want to be the guy people use to scare future players away from football,” Tua said when asked if he felt pressure to step down.
That statement tells us a lot. Tua sees himself as more than a cautionary tale. He’s a competitor. A leader. A man of faith who, as he’s said repeatedly, believes he was given this platform for a reason. And while his health is a priority, his purpose is still on the field — at least for now.
His decision not to retire is personal, not dismissive. He’s made adjustments. He practices different. He’s learning safer ways to fall. He’s surrounded by one of the NFL’s most advanced medical teams.
Still, the headlines don’t stop. Fans continue to search:
“Should Tua retire?”
“Tua Tagovailoa concussion retirement decision”
“Is Tua going to retire?”
There’s worry baked into every one of those questions — because the memory of what happened on that field in Cincinnati hasn’t faded.
Athletes who faced the same fork in the road
Tua’s not alone in facing this dilemma. Some of the greatest athletes in the world have walked this tightrope:
- Andrew Luck stunned the NFL by walking away at 29. Injuries — not lack of talent — pushed him out.
- Simone Biles, the face of U.S. gymnastics, paused her Olympic career for mental and physical health.
- Aaron Rodgers has taken time to carefully manage his body and future, prioritizing longevity and clarity.
All of them made deeply personal decisions. None of them were easy. And like Tua, their stories sparked larger conversations — about balance, about identity, and about the hidden costs of greatness.
You can read more about how Simone Biles and Aaron Rodgers approached retirement — their stories echo Tua’s in surprising ways.
Whether or not Tua retires from the NFL, the concern is valid. But for now, he’s betting on himself — again.
If Tua Retires, What Happens to His NFL Contract?
Whether you’re a Dolphins fan, a fantasy football diehard, or just someone rooting for Tua’s health, the question lingers: If Tua retires, what happens to his contract?
NFL retirement isn’t just a locker room decision — it’s a business move with millions on the line. In Tua Tagovailoa’s case, his current deal shapes not only his future, but also the Dolphins’ strategy going forward.
Dolphins’ cap space, guarantees, and what Tua has earned so far
Let’s look at the numbers. Tua signed a fully guaranteed four-year rookie deal in 2020 worth about $30.2 million, including a $19.6 million signing bonus. That contract runs through the 2024 season.
In 2023, Miami picked up his fifth-year option for 2024, locking him in for $23.2 million fully guaranteed.
If Tua retired today — or before the 2025 season — the Dolphins would:
- Not owe him future salary beyond guaranteed portions
- Be entitled to recover a prorated portion of his signing bonus (though teams rarely pursue this unless the relationship sours)
- Free up cap space in 2025, giving them room to rebuild or invest in a new quarterback
The move would be a financial hit for Tua, but a potentially strategic play for the Dolphins, depending on timing.
But here’s the thing — Tua hasn’t shown any sign he’s walking away from the money, or the field.
Tua Tagovailoa contract — how it’s structured in 2025 and beyond
Looking ahead, Tua is in a critical window. If he plays well in 2024, he’ll likely be up for a massive extension — think $45–55 million per year, depending on the quarterback market.
Compare that to Lamar Jackson, who signed a five-year, $260 million deal. If Tua stays healthy and productive, he could join that elite tier.
That’s what makes retirement such a complicated question. It’s not just about health. It’s about legacy. It’s about generational wealth. It’s about what’s left to prove.
Searches like “if Tua retires what happens to his contract” show that fans get it — retirement decisions aren’t just emotional. They’re financial gambles.
Is Tua going to retire, get traded, or re-sign long-term?
Here’s what we know:
- He hasn’t retired.
- He hasn’t been traded.
- He wants to stay in Miami.
In interviews, he’s expressed loyalty to the team that took a chance on him — even when the injuries piled up and the doubts crept in.
That said, NFL futures shift quickly. A poor 2024 season could lead to trade talks. A great one could land him a long-term extension.
And if you’re wondering whether Tua’s staying put, it helps to look at who else is navigating this stage of life. Take LeBron James — still elite, still choosing how to leave the game. Or Stephen Curry, balancing aging with dominance.
Tua is starting to face the same balancing act. Just earlier in his career.
Will Tua Retire in 2025 — or Double Down on Football?
As of now, Tua Tagovailoa is not retiring — not in 2025, not in the near future. But that hasn’t stopped fans, insiders, or even former players from speculating about how long he’ll stay in the game. When you’ve faced the kind of trauma Tua has — physically and emotionally — the question isn’t just “can you keep playing,” but “do you want to?”
Tua seems to have found his answer. At least for now.
Tua’s recent interviews: “I never considered retirement”
In August 2025, Tua addressed the media with a calm but pointed tone. The retirement rumors had gotten loud again, and he was ready to shut them down:
“I never considered retirement. I’m here to play. I’ve worked hard this offseason to be ready.”
He wasn’t dodging. He was doubling down.
And the way he’s handled the media — clear-eyed, thoughtful, consistent — has helped reshape the conversation. It’s no longer “Did Tua retire?” or “Is Tua going to retire?” It’s “How far can Tua go from here?”
What drives Tua — faith, family, and proving himself
What’s clear in every interview is that Tua’s motivation goes beyond football. He’s deeply rooted in faith. He talks about his family with admiration. And he believes he’s playing for something larger than himself.
That grounding is part of why he hasn’t crumbled under the pressure. In fact, it’s what’s keeping him on the field — not as a stubborn act of defiance, but as a calling.
He’s even said that the adversity has sharpened him — not scared him off. That resilience echoes other public figures who’ve wrestled with walking away. Nancy Pelosi, for example, stayed in politics long past when others expected her to step aside — because she believed her work wasn’t done yet.
Tua feels the same way about football.
What 2025 could look like: comeback season or farewell tour?
Now let’s get real — if Tua takes another brutal hit, the conversation will shift again. That’s just the nature of the sport. But if he stays healthy?
2025 could be his breakthrough. Not just as a player, but as a leader who proves he can thrive under a microscope.
Here’s what that could mean:
- A playoff run with the Dolphins
- A record-setting extension
- A new era in Miami with Tua at the center
Or — if things go sideways — it could be his final season. That’s the tightrope.
We’ve seen it before. Messi weighing his next move. Ronaldo defying expectations. Eminem teasing retirement while reinventing his career. These choices are never final — but they always matter.
That’s where Tua stands: not at the end, but right at the edge of a decision that could define his future.
FAQs
Is Tua retiring from the NFL?
No, Tua Tagovailoa has not retired from the NFL. Despite widespread speculation following his multiple concussions in 2022, Tua has publicly stated that retirement was never a serious consideration. In fact, during recent interviews, he emphasized his commitment to the game and his plans to continue playing for the Miami Dolphins. The confusion likely stems from concern — not confirmation.
Who is Tua’s new wife?
Tua married Annah Gore, a longtime friend and private figure who prefers to stay out of the spotlight. The couple tied the knot in July 2022, shortly before the NFL season kicked off. While Annah doesn’t often appear in public interviews or on social media, Tua has credited his wife and family as foundational support during challenging times in his career.
What is the future for Tua Tagovailoa?
Tua’s future looks cautiously optimistic. He’s entering a pivotal season with a fully guaranteed fifth-year contract, the backing of his team, and a commitment to safer play techniques. If he stays healthy and leads the Dolphins deep into the playoffs, a long-term extension is likely. If injuries resurface, however, the conversation around Tua retirement could return quickly. Either way, his future will be shaped by both performance and health.
Has an NFL player ever come out of retirement?
Yes — and more than you might think. NFL history is full of comebacks:
Tom Brady famously retired (briefly) in 2022, only to return 40 days later.
Brett Favre retired and unretired multiple times.
Even legends like Marshawn Lynch came back after time away.
If Tua ever does retire, it won’t necessarily be the end of his NFL story — just one chapter in a larger journey. But for now, he’s all in.
Conclusion
Tua retirement rumors may come and go, but the bigger story is one we all recognize — the moment you’re forced to choose between comfort and calling, fear and faith, risk and reward.
Watching Tua Tagovailoa navigate the storm of speculation hasn’t just been about football. It’s been about what it means to stay the course when everything around you says to stop. It’s about trusting your body, your purpose, and your people — and doing it publicly, under more pressure than most of us will ever know.
Whether Tua plays five more years or walks away tomorrow, he’s earned the right to decide his own ending. Like LeBron, Simone Biles, or even Eminem, he reminds us that retirement isn’t just an exit — it’s a transition. A statement. A new chapter.
At Retirin.com, we believe in those transitions. We believe in making decisions with clarity, confidence, and choice — just like Tua is doing now.
And maybe that’s what matters most here: not whether Tua retires now… but that when he does, it’ll be on his own terms.
Written by Robert Miller
Reviewed by David Reynolds, CFP®
Looking for more stories behind the headlines? Explore the lives behind the retirements that made us cheer, wonder, and ask bigger questions.
Pin your future with us—explore tips, tools, and inspiration on the Retirin Pinterest page.