Quarterback star Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins has become one of the top earners in the North American professional league NFL. According to ESPN, the professional footballer has signed a new four-year contract with his team worth 212.4 million US dollars (just under 197 million euros) until 2028. It is the highest contract in the Dolphins’ franchise history. There has never been a more lucrative four-season deal in the NFL.

Only two other active NFL players will earn more per year than the 26-year-old, who will make 53.1 million dollars (around 49 million euros): Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars will each receive 55 million US dollars per year. Of the total value of his contract, Tagovailoa is guaranteed 167 million US dollars.

Miami selected the quarterback fifth overall in the 2020 draft. In April 2023, he held a press conference at which he declared that he was considering retiring after suffering a number of concussions. But Tagovailoa decided to keep playing and was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time last season. The Dolphins’ big goal with the left-hander is the first Super Bowl triumph since 1974.