The Las Vegas Raiders continue searching for long-term clarity at quarterback. And ESPN’s Seth Walder has an extremely bold trade proposal that sends Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to Las Vegas, but with a twist.
ESPN’s Seth Walder Proposes Blockbuster Trade Sending Tua Tagovailoa to the Raiders
GettyTua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins looks to pass the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Walder’s blockbuster trade sending Tua to the Raiders will be packaged with draft capital to relieve Miami’s cap stress. Here’s how he laid out the idea:
“Hear me out. This is the Brock Osweiler trade on steroids. The Raiders currently have $103 million and $174 million in 2026 and 2027 cap space, respectively. What I would propose here is the Dolphins send a 2026 second-round pick and 2027 second-round pick along with Tagovailoa in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick. If that trade happened next week, Las Vegas would keep Tagovailoa through 2026 at a cost of roughly $70 million over that time, the vast majority fully guaranteed. It would get the Dolphins out of their tight cap situation so they can reset and rebuild, and it would be a more efficient use of resources for Las Vegas — regardless of whether Tagovailoa ever takes the field for them or not.”
From the Raiders’ perspective, this trade isn’t about betting the future of the franchise on Tua. It’s about using one of the team’s biggest assets (elite future cap flexibility) to acquire resources that will accelerate the rebuild and provide options.
Tagovailoa is not a top-tier quarterback by any means, but he could show why he was a top draft pick in a new environment. And if that’s not the case, the Raiders still end up with two second-round picks while only giving up cap space and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Why This Trade Could Be a Smart Move for Las Vegas
Las Vegas’ front office doesn’t need to commit to Tua long-term to benefit. In fact, the Raiders can draft a quarterback in the first round this year even with Tua on the roster. This move is more about adding two second-round picks than anything, and there’s still a chance that Tua ends up balling out in Las Vegas.
The move would also signal a bold shift in strategy: using money as leverage. This is a new way of gaining assets in the NFL, and it could look like a huge risk, but the reality is the Raiders are in the perfect position to make a move of this magnitude.
With $103 million and $174 million in 2026 and 2027 cap space, the Raiders can afford to give up part of their cap space for Tua when it results in gaining two second-rounders.
Ultimately, this suggested deal challenges the organization to think differently, not just about quarterbacks, but about the value of cap-driven trades. Walder’s proposal may feel unconventional, but winning franchises are built on creativity.
If the Raiders want to rise from the bottom of the pack, calculated risks like this are one way to get over the hump. Las Vegas doesn’t have to believe Tua will be the answer. They just have to believe he, and the picks attached, help them get closer to finding it.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Raiders’ Urged to Trade for Tua Tagovailoa, but With a Twist appeared first on Heavy Sports.