Tua Tagovailoa thankful Dolphins showed him 'the money' - ESPN

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa grabbed the mic at practice on Sunday to deliver a message that was effectively a celebration.

«Show me the money!» Tagovailoa exclaimed before he thanked the fans for attending.

Afterward, Tagovailoa continued to express his thankfulness on the day he officially signed his four-year, $212.4 million extension with the Dolphins.

The deal makes him the highest-paid player in franchise history and fifth highest in NFL history in average annual salary. In his news conference after practice, the fifth-year quarterback said he understands that with his new paycheck, there's also the expectation of making deep postseason runs.

«I'm the highest-paid employee in this office,» Tagovailoa told reporters. «I got to get my whatever together. I got to get that right and get our guys moving in the direction that we need to go to be able to do those things.»

Before the two sides agreed to terms Friday, Tagovailoa was slated to enter the final year of his rookie contract following a career year. He led the NFL in passing yards last season, totaled a career-high 29 touchdowns and started for the AFC in his first Pro Bowl appearance.

On Sunday, Tagovailoa said he knew everything was official when coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier stopped by the quarterbacks' room, peeked through the door and nodded their heads in silence. Then, McDaniel squeezed his starting quarterback so hard that Tagovailoa spilled his coffee.

«I'm fired up for the organization, really fired up for Tua and the work he's done to receive something like that,» McDaniel told reporters Sunday. «I think it's a cool validation for sure.»

With his family in attendance, including his 2-year-old son, Ace, roaming behind