The Miami Dolphins just made a bold move that could define the rest of their season-and maybe their future.
On Wednesday, head coach Mike McDaniel benched starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers. It’s a seismic shift for a team that entered the season with playoff hopes and now finds itself searching for answers under center.
Tagovailoa, who led the league with 15 interceptions across 14 starts and posted a 6-8 record, has been relegated to QB3. That puts him behind both Zach Wilson and Ewers on the depth chart.
Now, it’s Ewers’ turn. The 22-year-old seventh-round pick out of Texas is set to make his first NFL start this Sunday when the Dolphins host the 4-10 Cincinnati Bengals. Here’s what you need to know about the young quarterback who’s suddenly in the spotlight.
A High School Phenom with Rare Hype
To understand the buzz around Quinn Ewers, you’ve got to go back to his high school days at Southlake Carroll in Texas. He wasn’t just another top recruit-he was the recruit.
According to 247 Sports, Ewers earned a perfect 1.0000 rating, something only a handful of quarterbacks have done since 2000. That elite group includes names like Vince Young, Bryce Young, Justin Fields, and Trevor Lawrence.
That kind of rating doesn’t come lightly. Ewers was seen as a can’t-miss prospect, with scouts projecting him as a future high-level college starter and potential first-round NFL pick.
While he didn’t quite hit those lofty marks in college-no Heisman, no national title-he still carved out a strong legacy at Texas. He led the Longhorns to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024 and finished third in program history with 68 touchdown passes.
NIL Trailblazer Before He Threw a College Pass
Ewers was one of the early faces of the NIL (name, image, and likeness) era in college football-and he cashed in quickly. In 2021, he signed a three-year, $1.4 million deal with GT Sports Marketing before ever playing a college snap. That was reportedly his third NIL deal before even stepping foot on campus.
The NIL opportunity was so significant that Ewers skipped his senior year of high school to enroll early at Ohio State. At the time, Texas law didn’t allow high school athletes 17 or older to profit from NIL deals. That changed in 2025, but back then, it meant Ewers had to leave early to start earning.
“We felt that it was a good opportunity,” Ewers said ahead of the 2025 Cotton Bowl. “It was a chance to help our family.”
After a brief stint at Ohio State, where he sat behind C.J. Stroud, Ewers transferred back home to Texas in December 2021.
And the NIL money kept flowing. By the time he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he had reportedly earned $6 million in endorsement deals.
He Held Off Arch Manning-Yes, That Manning
Pressure? Ewers knows it.
For two seasons, he had Arch Manning-the nephew of Peyton and Eli, grandson of Archie-waiting in the wings at Texas. Manning arrived in 2023 with all the fanfare you’d expect, and plenty of fans wanted him to take over right away.
But Ewers held his ground. Aside from a brief benching during a tough loss to Georgia in October 2024, he stayed the starter and delivered when it mattered.
One of his signature moments came in the 2025 Peach Bowl, when he threw a clutch 28-yard touchdown in double overtime to beat Arizona State. It was the kind of play that showcased not just his arm, but his poise.
“Kind of just an average traits guy, but the guy’s been through a lot,” an AFC scouting director said before the draft. “You can’t discredit his ability to overcome adversity.
Arch Manning on his heels. We want to see guys that can handle pressure and fight through tough times.”
That resilience clearly stuck with NFL scouts-and now, it’s part of why he’s getting his shot in Miami.
So Why Did He Slide to the Seventh Round?
Despite the hype and the flashes of brilliance, Ewers wasn’t viewed as a top-tier NFL prospect heading into the 2025 draft. He had a third-round grade from some draft analysts, but a combination of concerns pushed him down the board.
Injuries were a big part of it. Ewers dealt with ankle, oblique, and shoulder issues during his time at Texas, and that raised durability red flags. Teams also reportedly worried that Ewers might draw too much attention as a backup, potentially creating distractions in the locker room.
Still, the tools were there. He’s got the arm, the IQ, and the composure.
What he didn’t have was a clean bill of health or a consistent college résumé. That’s why he slipped all the way to pick No.
Why McDaniel Made the Switch Now
Let’s be honest: Zach Wilson hasn’t exactly lit it up in the NFL. With a 12-21 record as a starter and inconsistent play, it’s easy to see why Mike McDaniel might be looking for a spark. And Ewers has clearly shown enough in practice to earn the coach’s confidence.
“I need convicted quarterback play,” McDaniel said on Wednesday. “This team needs convicted quarterback play. I thought Quinn gave us the best chance to do that, and that’s why I did it.”
Ewers might actually be a better fit for McDaniel’s offense than Wilson. The Dolphins run a scheme that leans on timing, rhythm, and quick decisions-things Ewers did well at Texas. At his pro day, he completed 50 of 59 passes, showing the kind of sharp execution that fits Miami’s style.
Now, he gets his shot to prove it on the field.
What Comes Next
The Dolphins are turning to a rookie quarterback in Week 16, and that’s never a small decision. But it’s also not a panic move-it’s a calculated gamble. McDaniel is betting on upside, on poise under pressure, and on a young QB who’s already weathered more scrutiny than most veterans.
Quinn Ewers has been a five-star recruit, a millionaire before college, a lightning rod for debate, and now, a starting quarterback in the NFL.
Sunday in Miami, we find out if he’s ready for the next chapter.