The Miami Dolphins are making a bold move as they close out the season: Tua Tagovailoa, once viewed as the face of the franchise, is headed to the bench. It’s a stunning development given his draft pedigree and past flashes of brilliance, but the numbers this season haven’t been kind. Tua is in the midst of the worst statistical year of his career, and with the playoffs out of reach, Miami is shifting its focus toward the future.
Enter Quinn Ewers.
The rookie will get the start this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals in what amounts to a live audition. The Dolphins want to see what they’ve got in the young quarterback, and with three games left on the schedule, there’s no better time to find out. What’s surprising, though, is who isn’t getting the nod: Zach Wilson.
Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, had been waiting for another chance to prove himself after a rocky stint with the Jets. He’s been in Miami’s quarterback room, learning, preparing, and staying ready. So when the Dolphins opted to start Ewers instead, Wilson didn’t hide his reaction.
“Of course I would love to play,” he told reporters. “I can’t control that.
My job is to go out and do the best I can. Keep preparing… getting better, supporting Quinn.
Excited for him to get his first start.”
That’s a mature response from a player who’s clearly frustrated but still committed to being a good teammate. When asked if the team gave him a clear explanation for the decision, Wilson was candid: “A little bit.
There’s still confusion there. But you know what?
That’s how it goes sometimes.”
And he’s right. Life in the NFL, especially as a quarterback, doesn’t always follow a straight line.
One week you’re next in line, the next you’re watching someone else take the reps you thought might be yours. But Wilson’s comments reflect a player who understands the long game.
He knows that while this opportunity may have slipped through his fingers, the door isn’t completely closed.
As for Tagovailoa, his situation is a bit more complicated. His contract structure makes a clean break difficult in the short term, so don’t expect Miami to make any rash decisions.
Still, the writing on the wall is hard to ignore. The Dolphins are clearly exploring other options under center, and that exploration could stretch well into the offseason.
Miami doesn’t need to rush. They’ve got time - and now, they’ve got a chance to evaluate Ewers in real NFL action.
That’s invaluable. And for Wilson, while this isn’t the outcome he hoped for, the final stretch of the season still matters.
Whether it’s in Miami or somewhere else, putting together some strong tape could be the key to carving out his next opportunity.
For now, all eyes turn to Ewers. The Dolphins want to see if the rookie can seize the moment.
But don’t count out Wilson just yet. In a league where quarterback depth is gold, his story is still being written.