The Miami Dolphins are turning the page at quarterback, and it's a bold one. Rookie Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round pick out of Texas, is set to make his first NFL start this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
It’s a big moment for the 22-year-old, who had just 12 regular-season snaps under his belt before this week. Now, he’s stepping into the spotlight as the Dolphins’ starter in their 15th game of the season.
This isn't just a depth chart shuffle-it’s a significant pivot for Miami. The decision comes on the heels of a 25-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, a defeat that officially eliminated the Dolphins from playoff contention. With that, head coach Mike McDaniel and his staff are using the final stretch of the season to evaluate the future, and Ewers is now front and center in that conversation.
For those who followed Ewers’ college journey, this opportunity feels like a natural fit. His former coach at Texas, Steve Sarkisian, certainly thinks so.
Sarkisian, who also coached Tua Tagovailoa during his time as Alabama’s offensive coordinator, spoke candidly about the moment being “bittersweet.” He’s proud of Ewers, but also has deep ties to the quarterback Ewers is replacing.
“I’m excited for him,” Sarkisian said. “Once you don’t go in the first or early second round, you just hope you land in the right system. And I said this after the draft-there might not have been a better fit for Quinn than Miami with Mike McDaniel.”
That fit, according to Sarkisian, is all about system and style. McDaniel’s offense emphasizes quick reads, timing, and rhythm-elements that mirror what Ewers ran in college.
It’s a system designed to get the ball out fast, and Ewers thrived in that kind of setup at Texas. The transition to the NFL is never seamless, but the schematic familiarity could help smooth out some of the rookie bumps.
“Obviously, he’s been doing some really good things behind the scenes in practice,” Sarkisian added. “He’ll probably do some things that look like a guy making his first NFL start, but I know he’s excited.”
This moment also underscores a harsh reality in the NFL: timing and opportunity often matter more than draft pedigree. Ewers didn’t hear his name called early back in April, but he’s worked his way into this chance. And now, with Miami out of the playoff picture, the Dolphins are giving him a runway to show what he can do on the big stage.
As for Tagovailoa, the move marks a significant shift. Since being drafted fifth overall in 2020, he’s been Miami’s starter whenever healthy, dating back to his rookie season’s sixth game. He’s had highs and lows, but his time as the unquestioned QB1 in South Florida is now on pause-if not over.
It’s a tough break for Tua, but Sarkisian made it clear there's mutual respect between the two quarterbacks. “Both those guys working together, I know they have a great relationship,” he said.
For Ewers, Sunday is more than just a start-it’s a statement opportunity. The Dolphins want to see what they’ve got in the young gunslinger, and the NFL will get its first real look at a quarterback who, despite his draft position, has always had big-time upside.