Dolphins Bench Tua Tagovailoa, Hand Starting Job to Rookie Quinn Ewers
In a move that signals a major shift in Miami’s quarterback room, the Dolphins announced Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa has been benched. The team is turning to rookie Quinn Ewers as the new starter, with Zach Wilson elevated to the backup role. Tagovailoa, once the face of the franchise, is now listed as the emergency quarterback.
For a team that came into the season with playoff aspirations, this is a dramatic pivot. Miami has officially been eliminated from postseason contention, and now, with two games left, they’re looking to the future. Ewers, the rookie out of Texas, gets the nod, and the Dolphins will use these final weeks to evaluate what they have in the young quarterback.
Tagovailoa’s demotion comes after a season full of ups and downs. He completed 260 of 384 passes for 2,660 yards, throwing 20 touchdowns against 15 interceptions.
But the turnovers piled up, and the Dolphins limped to a 6-8 record under his command. That inconsistency, combined with Miami’s offensive struggles late in games, ultimately led to the change.
Tua Reacts: “Disappointed... but out of my control”
Tagovailoa didn’t shy away from his emotions when asked about the decision.
“Disappointed. I’m not happy about it, but it’s something out of my control,” he said Wednesday.
When pressed on whether he believes he’s played his final game as a Dolphin, Tagovailoa didn’t have a definitive answer - and that uncertainty speaks volumes. The former No. 5 overall pick has had moments of brilliance in Miami, but the franchise now seems to be reevaluating its long-term direction at quarterback.
A Look Back: Tua, Herbert, and the Draft That Could’ve Been
As the Dolphins move forward, the conversation around Tagovailoa’s future has reignited some familiar “what if” scenarios - none more intriguing than what happened on draft night in 2020.
On his podcast this week, analyst Colin Cowherd shared a behind-the-scenes story involving then-Chargers GM Tom Telesco. According to Cowherd, Telesco was initially leaning toward drafting Tagovailoa over Justin Herbert. The former Oregon quarterback was viewed as talented but “mechanical” and “a little stiff” at the time.
But that perception changed at the 2020 Rose Bowl. Telesco reportedly attended the game in person to get a closer look at Herbert - and what he saw changed his mind.
“First of all, he’s way bigger in person than on TV,” Cowherd quoted Telesco as saying. “Secondly, he is really, really athletic.”
Herbert’s performance that day helped seal the deal. He threw for 138 yards and a pick on 14-of-20 passing, but it was his work on the ground that stood out - 29 rushing yards and three touchdowns on nine carries. Oregon edged Wisconsin 28-27, and Herbert’s poise in a tight game left a lasting impression.
Telesco also took into account the context of Oregon’s offense. Then-head coach Mario Cristobal was running a conservative system, largely because he didn’t trust the backup quarterback. The Ducks were playing it safe - but when the moment called for it, Herbert delivered.
The Chargers ultimately selected Herbert at No. 6. One pick earlier, the Dolphins had already taken Tagovailoa.
What’s Next for Miami and Tua?
With Ewers now under center and Wilson backing him up, the Dolphins are clearly in evaluation mode. Whether this is a temporary benching or the beginning of the end for Tagovailoa in Miami remains to be seen.
What we do know is this: the Dolphins are shifting gears. And for Tua, a player who once looked like the long-term answer, the road ahead is suddenly uncertain.