Sports
Why Fins released Tua Tagovailoa; how he fits with Falcons
The Miami Dolphins announced Monday they will release quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at the start of the new league year on Wednesday, and it didn’t take long for signs to point to Tagovailoa heading to the Atlanta Falcons.
With Michael Penix Jr., who was the No. 8 pick in 2024, nursing a torn left ACL that makes him questionable to start the season, the Falcons turned to another left-handed quarterback who battled criticism last season.
Tagovailoa was 25th in QBR the last two seasons since signing a $112.4 million extension in 2024, but the Falcons are hoping he reverts back to his pre-extension performance, when he had the fifth-highest QBR from 2022-23.
Ever since he was hired in January, Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has been noncommittal about Tagovailoa’s potential return to the team. He said at the NFL combine that “everything is on the table” with the quarterback, including the possibility of a trade. The Dolphins tried to facilitate one, but with no buyers, they decided to outright release the 2023 NFL passing yards leader.
The start to Sullivan’s tenure in Miami has been punctuated by high-profile releases, with Tagovailoa following Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb. All signs are pointing toward a reset year for the Dolphins — if not an outright rebuild, even if Sullivan said he doesn’t like to use either word.
NFL Nation Falcons reporter Marc Raimondi, Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques, NFL insiders Ben Solak and Dan Graziano break down what’s next for the Dolphins and Falcons.

Why did the Dolphins release Tua? And why now?
As Sullivan and first-year head coach Jeff Hafley look to reset the team’s culture with their own vision, Tagovailoa was a looming relic of the previous regime, and an expensive one who was guaranteed $54 million this season.
After battling through multiple injuries in 2024, Tagovailoa was benched after throwing a career-high 15 interceptions in 14 games last season, casting doubt over his future with the team. His season was also marred by multiple faux pas in his dealings with the media, and he angered teammates when he publicly called unnamed players out for being late to player-led film sessions.
Releasing Tagovailoa now, albeit with a post-June 1 designation, allowed the Dolphins to begin their new quarterback search — a short one, as they agreed to terms with Malik Willis. — Louis-Jacques
How will Tagovailoa fit with the Falcons?
Tagovailoa is an interesting fit in Atlanta. He’s a left-handed quarterback, like Penix, which matters more than you’d think for keeping the playbook consistent and helping receivers adjust to the opposite spin on the ball.
Tagovailoa is not the sort of aggressive passer who works well with a jump-ball specialist like Drake London, but he is a quick-distribution underneath thrower who will execute Kevin Stefanski’s offense well. The Falcons need more after-the-catch playmakers, and they have already begun that search with the signing of free agent receiver Olamide Zaccheaus. — Solak
Will it be an open competition for the starting QB spot?
Everything will hinge on the health of Penix. If he is back from that torn ACL, then he and Tagovailoa will compete for the starting job.
If Penix is not healthy by August, then it figures to be Tagovailoa’s job to start the season and the Falcons will figure things out once Penix is back. Expect a competition at some point, if not right away. — Raimondi
What does this mean for Penix’s development and future?
It means this Falcons regime is not as committed to Penix as was the previous one, which is not surprising.
Former coach Raheem Morris and former general manager Terry Fontenot shocked the NFL by taking Penix at No. 8 overall in 2024, a month after guaranteeing Kirk Cousins a $100 million contract.
They had to tie their proverbial wagon to Penix. New coach Kevin Stefanski, new GM Ian Cunningham and new president of football Matt Ryan do not share that obligation.
Signing Tagovailoa does not mean the new-look Falcons don’t believe in Penix. But Atlanta is now hedging its bets, especially since Penix is coming off his third torn ACL in eight seasons. He tore his right ACL twice in college. Tagovailoa certainly has his own injury issues after several concussions, but at the veteran minimum, he can at the very least be a bridge.— Raimondi
How does releasing Tagovailoa affect the Dolphins’ salary cap space?
Significantly, and not in a good way. Releasing Tagovailoa will cost Miami $99.2 million in dead-money salary cap charges. The components of that are his $54 million in fully guaranteed 2026 salary plus an additional $45.2 million in prorated bonus money left over from the $42 million signing bonus he got in 2024 (three years left at $8.4 million per year) and the $25 million option bonus he got in 2025 (four years left at $5 million per year).
The Dolphins can break up the salary cap hit between this year and next year, but the $54 million salary all hits the 2026 cap. So if they designate Tagovailoa as a post-June 1 release, the Dolphins can take half of the $45.2 million bonus proration this year and half in 2027. So their choices are a) take the entire $99.2 million dead-money hit this year and be done with it, or b) take a $76.6 million dead-money hit this year and a $22.6 million dead-money hit in 2027.
When the Broncos cut Russell Wilson in 2024, the dead-money charge was $85 million, which was an all-time record until now. The Broncos absorbed $53 million of that on their 2024 cap and $32 million on their 2025 cap. Denver has made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and was the top seed in the AFC playoffs in 2025. That’s mainly because the Broncos found their starting quarterback in the 2024 draft with Bo Nix, but the point is that these numbers don’t need to be devastating for Miami.
The $53 million dead-money charge the Broncos took in 2024 for Wilson was about 21% of that year’s salary cap. The $76.6 million the Dolphins would take for Tua (if they designate him a post-June 1 cut) represents about 25% of this year’s cap. — Graziano
Sports
Toulouse fall to first home defeat for a year | The Express Tribune
TOULOUSE:
Clermont stunned Toulouse 27–24 on Sunday to hand the Top 14 leaders their first home defeat in nearly a year.
Toulouse still have a 12-point cushion over their closest challengers Pau at the top of the table, but this result showed coach Ugo Mola and his staff have work to do before the end of the season.
“It’s a bit more than just a reminder. We’ll take the time to analyse this in order to come back with a different mindset,” Mola said.
Clermont, on the other hand, climbed to fifth place with 61 points, cementing their status as serious contenders for a playoff spot.
Toulouse had not lost at home since May 17, 2025, but perhaps it was the the sight of France superstar Antoine Dupont on the bench or their unfamiliar beige jerseys — matching those worn by the city’s football team the same weekend — that upset the league leaders.
They began smoothly enough as Teddy Thomas crossed the try line after just 42 seconds, superbly set up by Romain Ntamack.
The prospect of a one-sided match grew when Emmanuel Meafou powered over in the ninth minute, and then Paul Graou, in his 100th appearance for Toulouse, made it 21–0 after just 10 minutes.
But Toulouse lost their grip on the game.
Second-rower Marcos Kremer picked up an orange card and a 20-minute suspension and Harry Plummer was shown a yellow — both for head contact with Kalvin Gourgues — allowing Clermont to work their way back into the match, relying on solid set pieces and Toulouse’s many errors.
Leon Darricarrere got Clermont back on track before captain Baptiste Jauneau brought his team within seven points in the 31st minute.
After the break, prop Giga Tutisani helped Clermont close the gap to just three points and their iron defence, combined with Toulouse’s indiscipline, then turned the match on its head, with New Zealand kicker Harry Plummer kicking two penalties to give his side the lead.
Clumsy and lacking inspiration, Toulouse squandered chances in the opposition 22 and ultimately had to concede defeat.
Sports
Diego Pavia accepts Ravens rookie minicamp invite after making unfortunate NFL Draft history: reports
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Diego Pavia, the polarizing former Vanderbilt quarterback who was runner-up in Heisman voting last season, has reportedly found a home in the NFL after going undrafted this weekend.
Pavia accepted an invitation to the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, per multiple reports. He doesn’t have a spot on the roster yet, but it’s a start as he looks to crack into the NFL with Baltimore.
Of course, Lamar Jackson, the two-time MVP quarterback, is cemented as the team’s starting quarterback, but perhaps Pavia can stand out enough in rookie minicamp to earn an invitation to training camp this summer.
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Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia throws a pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 31, 2025. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
Pavia was not expecting to be undrafted this weekend, but he became the first Heisman Trophy finalist since 2014 to not hear his name called through the seven rounds in Pittsburgh.
Pavia won the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award for best upperclassman quarterback after throwing for 3,539 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, both of which single-season school records, to give the Commodores its first-ever 10-win season.
Vanderbilt just missed out on the College Football Playoff after finishing 10-3.
POLARIZING COLLEGE FOOTBALL STAR, HEISMAN TROPHY FINALIST GOES UNDRAFTED
Pavia ultimately finished second in Heisman voting to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza – the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. So, what ultimately led to Pavia not getting drafted?
While his personality may have factored in, Pavia’s official height at the NFL Scouting Combine turned some heads. Vanderbilt had him listed at 6-foot, but he was measured at 5-foot-9 7/8, which would make him the shortest quarterback in the NFL if he were to step foot on the gridiron today. The average height is 6-foot-2 for an NFL quarterback.
However, those shorter than the average have seen success, including Minnesota Vikings newest member, Kyler Murray, who went first overall to the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 coming out of Oklahoma. He’s listed at 5-foot-10.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia celebrates after the team’s win against Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 22, 2025. (Mark Zaleski/The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Pavia barked back at critics during the Senior Bowl in January regarding his height.
“Yeah, my size has been doubted my whole life,” he said at the time, via AL.com. “I feel like the only thing the NFL cares about is can you win, and I view myself as a winner. I’ve been fortunate with all these great teams that I’ve had — we’ve never had a losing season. So that’s something to look forward to, I hope, for the rest of my career, that’s how it’s going to be.
“I feel like God has blessed me in so many ways to be a connector, and I feel like that’s one of my superpowers that I’ve got — I can connect. We unite, and then once you unite, you want to play for one another, and once you give 120% effort, there’s no one that can stop your team.”
Pavia’s personality, viewed by some as more cocky than confident, may have played a factor as well. After finishing runner-up to Mendoza in Heisman voting, Pavia was spotted at a New York City nightclub next to a sign that read, “F— Indiana.” Then, he posted on social media a photo with friends and a caption that read, “F— ALL THE VOTERS, BUT…FAMILY FOR LIFE.”

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia throws a football during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
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Pavia later apologized for his decision to post that on his socials.
No matter the case, Pavia has a shot now with the Ravens and new head coach Jesse Minter, as he aims to show enough to join the quarterbacks group in training camp. Other than Jackson, the Ravens have Tyler “Snoop” Huntley on the roster to start the season.
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Sports
Trevor Bauer throws no-hitter for Long Island Ducks in just second US start since 2021
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Trevor Bauer, the former Cy Young Award winner and MLB All-Star, tossed a no-hitter for the independent Long Island Ducks in a 13-0 win over the Lancaster Stormers on Sunday afternoon at Penn Medicine Park in Pennsylvania.
It was just Bauer’s second start in the United States since 2021, and he faced just one batter over the minimum in a scheduled seven-inning game of a doubleheader against the Stormers.
Bauer threw 84 pitches, striking out seven hitters and walking just one to lose out on the perfect game.
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Trevor Bauer smiles after pitching no-hitter for Long Island Ducks on Sunday, April 26, 2026. (Jordan McGregor)
But Bauer unleashed a roar on the mound after a called strike three to notch the third no-hitter in Ducks history.
Combined with his first outing for the Ducks on April 21, Bauer has a strong 1.64 ERA to start the season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), which is a “Professional Partner League” of MLB.
Fans might have been supporting the opposing Stormers, but they understood what was at stake as Bauer was mowing down hitters throughout his start. They were even heard chanting his name at one point, hoping he could keep his hitless streak alive.
After the game, Bauer returned the favor for those at the Pennsylvania ballpark, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans after entering his name into the Ducks’ record books.
TREVOR BAUER SIGNS WITH PRO BASEBALL TEAM IN UNITED STATES AMID MLB RETURN HOPES
“I’m looking forward to competing in front of U.S. fans again this season,” said Bauer when he signed with the Ducks earlier this month. “The Ducks have had some incredible players come through their organization, and I’m excited to be part of that tradition.”
Ex-MLB stars like Dontrelle Willis, Daniel Murphy, Rich Hill and Eric Gagne have played for the Ducks in the past. New York Mets legends Gary Carter and Bud Harrelson both managed the team, with the latter also being a part-owner.
Bauer’s first start for the Ducks impressed an AL team scout in attendance, saying he was pretty impressed by Bauer’s arsenal on the bump.
“He showed flashes of the guy he used to be and a guy who can help a club,” the scout told the New York Post. “He went out and handled himself well. He showed flashes of the breaking ball he had in the past. Certainly the velocity is not what it once was, but it’s still solid, mostly 92-94. He didn’t throw the ball particularly well on the inside part of the plate with his fastball, but I think it was a really good first outing. You’d expected him to get sharper and probably tick up in velocity.

Trevor Bauer and catcher high-five after finish inning for Long Island Ducks in no-hit bid on Sunday April 26, 2026. (Jordan McGregor)
“You’re talking about a guy who was at the top of the game. Is he back there? No, but he looked like a guy who could go out and compete.”
Bauer pitched in Japan in both 2023 and 2025, while a stint in Mexico came in 2024. He pitched to a 2.59 ERA and 9.2 K/9 in Japan in 2023, and in Mexico, those numbers improved to 2.48 and 13.0. Last year in Japan, though, his ERA shot up to 4.41, and he struck out just 8.2 batters per nine innings.
This June will mark five years since Bauer, as the reigning Cy Young Award winner, last appeared in an MLB game. On June 28 of that year, he tossed six innings of two-run ball while striking out eight batters, recording the win.
Two days later, Bauer was hit with sexual assault allegations, which eventually led to a 324-game suspension (the equivalent of two seasons). It was eventually reduced to 184 games for violating the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
Bauer has maintained his innocence, settling with one accuser while another is facing 16 years in prison after being charged with fraud for faking a pregnancy and asking Bauer for money for an abortion.

Trevor Bauer pitches for Long Island Ducks during no-hitter on Sunday, April 26, 2026. (Jordan McGregor)
Bauer and Lindsey Hill, who accused the pitcher of beating and sexually abusing her in 2021, settled their case in late 2023. Bauer revealed texts from Hill, who said that Bauer would be her “next victim,” among other damning messages. Hill has since said that MLB has more evidence of Bauer’s alleged misconduct.
Last June, Hill was ordered to pay Bauer more than $300,000 for violating settlement terms. Hill breached their settlement agreement with each other by discussing Bauer on podcasts and in public appearances, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Nearly two years ago, Bauer said he “may have no other choice” but to sue Major League Baseball “if I continue being kept out” of the league. Bauer has said he’d “play for the league minimum,” but he has yet to sign with an MLB team.
“Anyone that’s willing to sit down with me and listen: I’d like to play the second half of my career in a better way than I played the first half,” Bauer told Fox News Digital in January 2024. “I’d like to be an example that you can make mistakes, recognize them, adjust and then be better in the future. I think that’s something us as humans have to do and should be doing constantly.”

Long Island Ducks pitcher Trevor Bauer throws against the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y., on April 21, 2026. (Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM/Getty Images)
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Bauer has since called out MLB after Pete Rose and other deceased former players were taken off the league’s permanently ineligible list.
“So, since Pete is welcome back now, does that go for everyone who has been blackballed?” Bauer asked on X. “Or do you actually have to be guilty of something to qualify for that?”
Bauer was performing well for the Dodgers at the time of the allegations, pitching to a 2.59 ERA.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
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