Mark Gronowski’s run in Miami ended before preseason ever got rolling, but that doesn’t have to be the final stop on his football journey.
The Dolphins waived the quarterback on August 7, 2026, after he had slipped all the way to No. 4 on the depth chart. Miami also waived/injured safety Omar Brown while signing safety Tanner Wall and claiming cornerback Ahmari Harvey off waivers from Pittsburgh. Gronowski had been battling Malik Willis and Quinn Ewers for snaps, but a summer filled with interception issues and uneven play pushed him out of the picture.
It was a sharp turn for a player who has done plenty to earn another look. Gronowski was one of the most productive FCS quarterbacks in the country during four seasons at South Dakota State, finishing with 10,330 passing yards, 93 passing touchdowns, 1,767 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns. He was the FCS Heisman winner in 2023, then became one of the most sought-after names in the transfer portal before signing with Iowa in January 2025.
His lone season with the Hawkeyes wasn’t a passing showcase, but he still left his mark. Gronowski set Iowa records for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season with 545 and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season with 16. Even in a year when the passing game struggled, his versatility gave the offense a dimension it badly needed.
That dual-threat ability is a big reason he should not be overlooked now. Gronowski has shown he can win games, and he owns the distinction of being the NCAA all-time winningest quarterback with more than 50 career victories. He also posted 2,500-plus passing yards and 400-plus rushing yards in three of four seasons with the Jackrabbits, aside from the down passing season in his only year with Iowa.
The Dolphins’ move sends him back into the market, but there should be no shortage of teams willing to take a chance. Minnesota, the Jets and the Cardinals all stand out as clubs that could use quarterback help, whether immediately or soon.
Minnesota’s situation is still unsettled, with J.J. McCarthy not looking fully locked in, Kyler Murray brought in to compete for the job, and Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also on the roster. Kevin O’Connell’s reputation for getting more out of quarterbacks makes that a possible fit.
The Jets remain stuck in the kind of quarterback uncertainty that has followed them for years. Geno Smith is back after his time in Las Vegas, Kade Klubnik is the projected backup, and neither option feels like a clean answer. A veteran like Gronowski could make sense there.
Arizona is another team in transition after releasing Kyler Murray in March. Jacoby Brissett is unhappy with his current contract, and while Carson Beck has looked good in the summer and the Hall of Fame game, the Cardinals still don’t know whether he is the long-term solution.
The Steelers and Falcons are also mentioned as possible landing spots, with Aaron Rodgers retiring after next season and Michael Pennix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa not inspiring much confidence in Atlanta. For now, Gronowski appears likely to land on a practice squad, but his skill set and experience should keep him in the conversation as a depth option.
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