The Miami Dolphins are benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers, head coach Mike McDaniel announced on Wednesday.
A major move in Miami: the Dolphins are benching QB Tua Tagovailoa and turning to Quinn Ewers as their new starting QB, per sources.
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Ewers’ first start comes Sunday vs. the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/lzs2J1EfjP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2025
“I need convicted quarterback play. This team needs convicted quarterback play,” McDaniel said. “I thought Quinn gave us the best chance to do that… I couldn’t responsibly play this next game when I thought what the team needed was available and live in hope and wish and stuff.”
The Dolphins are coming off a tough 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steeler on Monday, a defeat that officially eliminated them from playoff contention.
This season has been a difficult one for Tagovailoa, who leads the NFL in interceptions with 15 picks thrown in just 14 games.
Ewers is Miami’s seventh-round pick from this year’s draft after four seasons of college play. He will officially start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals with Zach Wilson as the primary backup. Tagovailoa will be the emergency third-stringer.
Wednesday’s decision was arguably the biggest of McDaniels’ career so far, we won’t have to wait long to find out if it was a good one.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
