The Miami Dolphins made national headlines this week, after the team decided to bench starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the rest of the season. Head coach Mike McDaniel said “all options were on the table” following the team’s loss to the Steelers in Week 15.
One of those options was rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, who was named the starter this week. A 7th-round draft selection in the 2025 NFL draft, Ewers has only appeared in one game for the Dolphins this season so far, in Week 7 against the Cleveland Browns. The former Texas Longhorns quarterback and No.1 high school recruit completed 5/8 passes for 53 yards, though 40 of those yards came on a single play. Underwhelming, to say the least.
However, in his press conference earlier today, McDaniel spoke about the decision to promote Ewers to the starting role. Specifically, McDaniel on Ewers’ first practice with the team was start, said that “It wasn’t perfect, but the competitive response and the conviction at the position after anything would go awry…that’s what I really like about him and that’s what he showed off”
Translating coach-speak is never easy, but one would assume that McDaniel is referring to Ewers’ ability to play off-script, stay positive when things go wrong, and for lack of a better word, his ability to care.
While many fans have grown impatient with some of Tua’s behavior off the field, that is one area where Ewers excels. According to the NFL’s Tom Pelissero, an anonymous NFC quarterbacks coach had this to say about Ewers before last year’s draft.
“Real smart, great kid, real-self aware. The arm strength and some of the decision making are concerns, but he’s somebody you can see develop, develop, develop, and then—BANG! There’s a competitor there that’s hard to teach, and there’s an intelligence factor there that’s hard to teach.”
Certainly, it may seem harsh throw a fuss over a simple smile, or lack of accountability during practice, but that’s the NFL. It’s a tough league, and many don’t last. At least with the Dolphins, Tagovailoa’s time seems to be over. For Ewers, his time is only just beginning.
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