Miami Dolphins to Start Rookie Quinn Ewers at Quarterback
The Miami Dolphins have announced that rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers will start in place of Tua Tagovailoa for the remainder of the season. This decision comes after Tagovailoa’s recent struggles, which have led to him being one of the most ineffective quarterbacks in the league over the past month and a half. Despite the Dolphins winning five of their last seven games, Tagovailoa’s performance has been a concern, with him ranking 30th in QBR and 24th in passing yards since Week 10.
Tagovailoa’s benching is not entirely surprising, given his recent form and the fact that the Dolphins have been eliminated from playoff contention. The team’s coach, Mike McDaniel, has been vocal about his disappointment with Tagovailoa’s play, particularly in the team’s recent loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. McDaniel stated that Tagovailoa “lost sight” of the cornerback on a crucial play, which led to an interception. This lack of awareness and decision-making has been a recurring issue for Tagovailoa, who leads the NFL with 15 interceptions this season.
Implications for Tua Tagovailoa’s Future with the Dolphins
The benching of Tagovailoa raises questions about his future with the Dolphins. With $54 million in guaranteed compensation in 2026, it is unlikely that the team will be able to trade him without absorbing a significant portion of his contract. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, teams are hesitant to take on Tagovailoa’s contract, given his recent performance and concussion history. This makes it likely that the Dolphins will be stuck with Tagovailoa’s contract, at least for the upcoming season.
However, if Ewers performs well in his starts, it could pave the way for the Dolphins to move on from Tagovailoa. As Fowler notes, “if Ewers performs over these final three games, he will serve as both a starting option next year and a sunk cost for Miami because of his rookie contract.” This would allow the Dolphins to explore other options at quarterback, potentially through the draft or free agency.
Contract Implications and Dead Money
The Dolphins’ decision to bench Tagovailoa has significant contract implications. As ESPN’s Dan Graziano explains, Tagovailoa’s contract includes $54 million in fully guaranteed compensation in 2026, which breaks down into a $39 million salary and a $15 million option bonus. If the Dolphins were to release Tagovailoa before March 13, they would still be responsible for the $54 million in guaranteed money and would absorb $99.2 million in dead salary cap charges.
Graziano notes that the Dolphins could potentially trade Tagovailoa, but this would require them to find a team willing to take on his contract. If they are unable to trade him, the Dolphins may be forced to release him, which would result in significant dead money on their cap. However, as Graziano points out, the Broncos were able to overcome $80 million in dead money charges when they released Russell Wilson in 2024, and still managed to make the playoffs.
Mike McDaniel’s Future with the Team
The benching of Tagovailoa also raises
