In a stunning turn of events, the Miami Dolphins have benched starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and named seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers as the starter for their upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Could this former Texas Longhorns star be the spark Miami needs to turn around a disappointing season?
Why the Dolphins Are Turning to Quinn Ewers Now
The decision comes just days after the Dolphins’ playoff hopes were officially dashed in a 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. Head coach Mike McDaniel had hinted at changes, stating that the quarterback play “was not good enough” and that “everything’s on the table.”
Tagovailoa, who signed a massive four-year, $212 million extension in 2024, has struggled mightily this season. The 27-year-old leads the NFL with 15 interceptions through 14 games, posting a career-low passer rating and failing to recapture his 2023 form when he led the league in passing yards.
With nothing left to play for in terms of postseason contention, Miami is shifting focus to the future – and that future might involve the highly touted rookie Quinn Ewers.
Who Is Quinn Ewers? The Rookie Poised for His First NFL Start
Quinn Ewers, selected by the Dolphins with the 231st overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, burst onto the scene as a former No. 1 overall high school recruit. After a brief stint at Ohio State, he transferred to Texas, where he threw for over 9,000 yards and 68 touchdowns, leading the Longhorns to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances.
Ewers made his NFL debut earlier this season in Week 7 against the Cleveland Browns, coming in during mop-up duty after Tagovailoa was benched in a blowout loss. The rookie completed 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards, showing poise under pressure in limited action.
The Dolphins chose Ewers over veteran backup Zach Wilson for this opportunity, signaling strong confidence in the young quarterback’s potential. Insiders note that Ewers has impressed in practice and preseason, earning this shot to evaluate him as a possible long-term solution.
Could Quinn Ewers Save the Dolphins’ Season – Or Even Their Future?
Ewers’ first start comes this Sunday, December 21, at Hard Rock Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals. While the Dolphins sit at 6-8 and out of playoff contention, these final three games offer a golden opportunity for the rookie to showcase his arm talent, decision-making, and leadership.
Fans are buzzing: Is this the beginning of a new era in Miami? Ewers brings a strong arm, accuracy on quick throws, and experience in a pro-style offense that aligns well with McDaniel’s scheme. If he performs well, it could provide a low-cost alternative at quarterback heading into 2026, especially with Tagovailoa’s massive contract looming.
Dolphins supporters are hopeful that Ewers can inject energy into an offense that has underperformed all year. As one of the most intriguing quarterback stories of the 2025 season, all eyes will be on the rookie sensation.
Stay tuned for updates on Quinn Ewers’ performance and what it means for the Miami Dolphins moving forward. Will this debut change everything for the franchise? The NFL world is watching.
