Mark Gronowski’s run through Miami is over, and the former Hawkeye quarterback has landed somewhere that looks a whole lot steadier.
The Houston Texans signed Gronowski to their practice squad after the Dolphins released him for a third time, ending a chaotic stretch that saw him bounce in and out of Miami all summer. For a player who was once one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football, the NFL path has been anything but smooth.
Gronowski initially joined Miami to battle for the backup job behind starter Malik Willis, but things went sideways early. He reportedly had uncharacteristic turnover issues in camp, and the Dolphins waived him before their first preseason game. Then Miami changed course after its other quarterbacks struggled, bringing Gronowski back so he could play in the team’s final preseason games.
That still didn’t settle anything. After the 53-man roster cutdown, Miami kept reshuffling the position - trading Quinn Ewers, adding Kyle McCord, and releasing Gronowski again. The Dolphins then re-signed him to the practice squad, only to let him go once more.
It didn’t take long for Houston to step in. The Texans signed Gronowski to their practice squad, giving him a fresh start and a chance to carve out a role with a quarterback room that suddenly needs help.
Graham Mertz was placed on IR after a preseason injury, leaving Houston with just C.J. Stroud and veteran backup Davis Mills on the roster.
That opens the door for Gronowski to compete for the third-string job if the Texans decide to activate him. And depending on how things shake out, he could even put pressure on Mills for the backup spot.
The appeal is obvious. Gronowski brings a strong college résumé, one that includes the NCAA record for wins by a quarterback, 12,049 career passing yards, 103 touchdown passes, an FCS All-American nod, the Walter Payton Award, and offensive MVP honors from the East-West Shrine Bowl earlier this season.
There are still no guarantees Houston will carry him on the active roster and could opt to keep only two quarterbacks. But after the mess in Miami, Gronowski at least has a clearer path now - and a real chance to prove he belongs.
In Other News...
Iowa State Football Has A Chance To Sway A Bigger In-State Battle
The buildup to Iowa States football matchup with Iowa carries the usual in-state weight, but this one reaches beyond the field in a way that could matter for the Cyclones broader profile. A strong showing in the rivalry game would give the program another chance to remind fans and recruits alike that the gap between the two schools is not nearly as fixed as it can seem, especially when the spotlight is brightest in September.
A larger recruiting wrinkle sits in the background as the game approaches, with top basketball prospect Cayden Daughtry drawing attention from a long list of programs and set for a series of visits. Iowa has him on the schedule this weekend, which makes the football result feel like more than just a bragging-rights issue for the Cyclones, because how this game unfolds could shape the way another major in-state battle is viewed going forward. [Read more 🡒]
Cy-Hawk Broadcast Just Got More Personal Than Iowa State Fans Realize
The 73rd Cy-Hawk game already carries the usual in-state bite, but NBCs broadcast setup adds an extra layer of familiarity. Paul Burmeister, the former Iowa quarterback who has been working with the network since 2011, will handle play-by-play for the matchup, bringing a voice to the rivalry that comes with firsthand history and a long memory of what this game means on both sides.
Burmeister is not just another national broadcaster parachuting into a big September date. He played in the 1993 Cy-Hawk game and grew up in Iowa City with ties to both Iowa and Iowa State, which gives this assignment a personal edge that fans will probably notice as soon as the telecast starts. For a rivalry built on pride, proximity and old grudges, having someone on the mic who has lived parts of that story makes the broadcast feel a little closer to home. [Read more 🡒]