The Miami Dolphins made the bold decision in March to cut Tua Tagovailoa, the franchise quarterback they drafted fifth overall in 2020. They wanted him gone so badly they were willing to take on a $99 million dead-cap hit, the largest in NFL history. The Falcons swooped in immediately, signing Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million deal.
Now the Falcons travel to Miami to face the Dolphins in Friday's preseason finale — a game Tagovailoa is set to start. On Wednesday, Dolphins edge rusher Chop Robinson opened up about the matchup and sent a clear message to his former teammate. "It's going to be fun, especially since we couldn't hit him.
But now it's game time, and I'll be able to hit him," Robinson told reporters. "I hope I can get close to him. But again, he was a good guy, great teammate.
I wish him the best." When asked later whether it's strictly business — not personal — if he sacks Tagovailoa on Friday, Robinson didn't hold back. "Nah, I mean, it's personal. No matter who it is, it's always personal," he said.
More news: Falcons OC Weighs In on Tua Tagovailoa vs Michael Penix QB Battle Both players enter the 2026 season under significant pressure. The Dolphins moved on from several top players this offseason, including Pro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb and All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Robinson, Miami's first-round pick (No. 21 overall) in 2024, is expected to help offset those losses.
Over his first two NFL seasons, he racked up 47 combined tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, and 10 sacks — numbers expected to climb as he steps into a starting role for the first time in his career. More news: Packers GM Drops Honest Admission on Tucker Kraft’s Contract Status More news: Dave Canales Sends Pointed Message on Bryce Young’s Future in Carolina Tagovailoa, meanwhile, is in the middle of a quarterback battle with the Falcons' former first-round pick, Michael Penix Jr. With Penix having returned to practice following last season's ACL tear, Friday could be Tagovailoa's last real chance to make his case for the Week 1 starting job.
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