The Miami Dolphins are once again searching for stability at quarterback, and this time the shift feels heavier than most. What began as a season of expectations has unraveled into one of doubt, internal tension, and major questions about the franchise’s direction. With the playoffs now out of reach, the Dolphins are no longer protecting optics. They are chasing answers.
Head coach Mike McDaniel made that clear Wednesday when he announced that Tua Tagovailoa would be benched in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers. The decision followed Monday night’s 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game that prompted McDaniel to openly question the quarterback position, saying the play “was not good enough” and that “everything is on the table.”
For Tagovailoa, the move is the latest blow in a season defined by inconsistency. Now in his sixth year, the former Pro Bowler leads the NFL with 15 interceptions, according to Pro Football Reference, a stark contrast to the efficiency that once defined Miami’s offense. He had already been benched once earlier this year during a lopsided loss to Cleveland, where McDaniel said bluntly that his quarterback failed to meet the standard.
Tension off the field added fuel to the fire. Tagovailoa drew criticism after calling out teammates for missing or showing up late to players-only meetings, comments that McDaniel publicly rebuked before Tagovailoa issued an apology.
I think Quinn gives this team the best chance to win
A franchise searching for direction
Ewers, a seventh-round pick out of Texas, is now tasked with steering an offense that once terrified defenses. He briefly replaced Tagovailoa in the Cleveland loss, completing five of eight passes for 53 yards in his NFL debut. It was a small sample, but enough for McDaniel to believe the rookie offers a better chance to win right now.
Tagovailoa’s final stat line against Pittsburgh looked respectable. He threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-28 passing. ESPN analysts noted, however, that much of that production came late, after three quarters of stalled drives and missed opportunities.
The quarterback change is only part of a broader shake-up. The Dolphins parted ways with general manager Chris Grier on Halloween, and McDaniel’s own future remains uncertain as he coaches out the season. Miami’s playoff drought, which dates back to 2000 and remains the longest active streak in the NFL according to NFL.com, continues to loom over every decision.
Financial realities complicate everything. Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.1 million extension in 2024, making him the league’s sixth-highest-paid player. Spotrac reports that releasing him after the season would trigger a $99.2 million dead cap hit, a figure that makes any long-term move difficult.
On Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, a game flexed out of prime time, the Dolphins will hand the offense to a rookie. Whether it is a short-term experiment or the beginning of a larger shift, Miami is clearly no longer standing still.
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