Dolphins Hand the Keys to Rookie Quinn Ewers After Benching Tua
Right now, one of the biggest talking points in the NFL is coming out of Miami, where the Dolphins have decided to make a bold and highly debated move at quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa has been benched, and the team is officially turning to rookie Quinn Ewers as its new starter. This decision didn’t come out of nowhere, but it still feels dramatic given the money, expectations, and recent history tied to Tagovailoa.
The change follows Miami’s 28–15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a defeat that officially knocked the Dolphins out of playoff contention. In that game, Tagovailoa threw his league-leading 15th interception of the season, a moment that seemed to underline weeks of frustration. Although two touchdown passes were recorded, they came late, when the game was already under control for Pittsburgh. Four sacks were also taken, and the offense struggled to find rhythm when it mattered most.
After the loss, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel made it clear that patience had run out. He openly admitted that the quarterback play was not good enough and said that everything was on the table. Within a day, the direction of the franchise shifted. Quinn Ewers, a rookie who has mostly watched from the sidelines this season, was named the new starter. His first real opportunity will come Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Until now, Ewers had served as an emergency option, briefly stepping into a Week 7 loss against the Browns but otherwise staying in the background. Still, the coaching staff appears ready to see what they have in him, especially with the season effectively lost. With Miami sitting at 6–8 and eliminated from playoff contention, the final games are being viewed as an evaluation period rather than a playoff push.
What makes this move even more striking is Tagovailoa’s contract situation. He signed a massive four-year extension worth over $212 million in 2024 after leading the NFL in passing yards in 2023. While durability has improved this season, his decision-making has clearly regressed, with interceptions piling up at a career-high rate. Financially, the Dolphins are locked in, as releasing him would come with enormous dead-cap consequences, making this benching more symbolic than final.
Alongside the quarterback change, Miami also released veteran pass rusher Matthew Judon, signaling that changes are happening across the roster. With Zach Wilson also on the team, it remains unclear who will back up Ewers on game day.
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For now, the spotlight belongs to Quinn Ewers. This isn’t just a start; it’s an audition. For the Dolphins, it’s about the future. For Ewers, it’s a chance to prove that this shocking decision wasn’t just about desperation, but about discovering what could come next in Miami.
Dolphins Make Bold QB Switch, Handing the Keys to Rookie Quinn Ewers
Right now, one of the biggest talking points around the Miami Dolphins is the decision to bench Tua Tagovailoa and turn to rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers. It’s a move that feels dramatic, but when you look at how the season has unfolded, it almost seemed inevitable. Miami’s playoff hopes officially ended after a disappointing 28–15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that game ended up being the final straw.
Tua Tagovailoa did throw two touchdown passes in that loss, but context matters. Both scores came when the game was already out of reach. More importantly, another interception was added to his season total, bringing him to an NFL-worst 15 picks in just 14 games. That interception, along with four sacks taken on the night, highlighted the same issues that have followed him all year — shaky decision-making, stalled drives, and an offense that simply couldn’t find rhythm when it mattered most.
After the game, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel didn’t hide his frustration. It was openly said that the quarterback play was “not good enough,” and that everything was on the table. A day later, the decision was made. Tua was benched, and Quinn Ewers was named the new starter, with his first NFL start set to come against the Cincinnati Bengals.
For Ewers, this is a massive moment. Until now, he had mostly been the emergency option, briefly stepping in during a Week 7 loss to the Browns. Suddenly, he’s being asked to lead a team that has struggled for consistency but still wants to finish the season with some pride. With Miami sitting at 6–8 and out of playoff contention, the final three games are now being viewed as an evaluation period, and Ewers is very much at the center of that.
This move also casts a long shadow over Tagovailoa’s future. Just a year ago, he was rewarded with a four-year, $212 million extension after leading the NFL in passing yards in 2023. Now, his performance has dipped, his interception total is at a career high, and tough financial realities loom. Releasing him isn’t simple, as it would trigger massive dead cap charges, but the fact that these conversations are even happening says a lot.
Meanwhile, Miami is also reshaping its roster, releasing veteran pass rusher Matthew Judon and signaling that change is underway. With Zach Wilson also on the roster, it’s still unclear who will back up Ewers on Sunday.
What’s clear is this: the Dolphins are turning the page, at least for now. Quinn Ewers has been handed an unexpected opportunity, and over the next few weeks, we’ll find out whether this bold gamble is just a short-term experiment, or the first step toward a much bigger shift in Miami.
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