The winds may be shifting in South Florida, and they’re blowing hard in a new direction. The Miami Dolphins are reportedly making a major move at quarterback, benching Tua Tagovailoa in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers for Sunday’s game. It’s a decision that signals more than just a change under center-it could be the start of a new era in Miami.
Let’s unpack what this really means.
Tua’s Slide and the Numbers Behind It
Tua Tagovailoa, once the face of the franchise and a former first-round pick in 2020, is now in his sixth NFL season. After leading the league in passing yards just a year ago, his 2025 campaign has taken a clear step back. Miami is 6-7 in his 13 starts, and while win-loss records don’t always tell the full story, the numbers under the hood paint a concerning picture.
His passer rating has dropped to a career-low 86.4. That’s a significant dip from his 2023 and 2024 seasons, when he was one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks.
His completion rate is down to 66.9%-still solid, but noticeably off from the 72.9% he posted last season. And perhaps most telling: his yards per attempt have fallen to 6.8, a far cry from the 8.9 he posted in 2022 when he was stretching the field and picking defenses apart.
The touchdown-to-interception ratio is another red flag. With 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions through 13 games, Tua’s decision-making has regressed. That 14-pick mark matches his total from all of last season-except that came across 17 games, not 13.
Enter Quinn Ewers
Now, it’s Quinn Ewers’ turn. The former Texas standout and 7th-round pick from this year’s draft is getting the nod.
It’s a bold move-giving the keys to a rookie quarterback when the team is still technically in the playoff hunt. But it’s also a clear sign that the Dolphins want to see what they have in Ewers before making long-term decisions this offseason.
Ewers brings a different skill set to the table. He’s got a big arm, a confident presence in the pocket, and the kind of raw talent that teams love to develop.
But he’s also unproven, and the transition from college to the pros is never guaranteed. Still, the Dolphins are willing to take that risk, and that says a lot about where they feel they are with Tua.
The Financial Fallout
Here’s where things get even more complicated. If this is truly the beginning of the end for Tua in Miami, the financial implications are massive.
After his standout 2023 season-where he led the league with 4,624 passing yards-Tua signed a hefty four-year extension. That deal now looms large over any potential move the Dolphins might make.
He’s already guaranteed $54 million for the 2026 season. And come March 15, another $3 million of his 2027 salary becomes locked in.
Cutting him outright would leave a staggering $99 million in dead cap. Even a post-June 1 release would spread the hit, but still saddle Miami with $67.4 million in dead money in 2026 and another $31.8 million in 2027.
That’s not just a tough pill to swallow-it’s a financial gut punch.
What This Means Going Forward
Benching a quarterback isn’t always the end. Sometimes it’s a wake-up call. But given the timing, the rookie waiting in the wings, and the fiscal mountain standing between Miami and a clean break, this feels different.
The Dolphins are at a crossroads. They’ve invested heavily in Tua, both financially and organizationally. But in the NFL, production trumps potential-and right now, Tua isn’t producing at the level Miami needs.
Whether this is a one-week experiment or the first step in a long-term transition, one thing is clear: the Dolphins are reevaluating their future at quarterback. And that future might just start with Quinn Ewers this Sunday.