Dolphins Bench Tua, But Leave Tahj Washington on the Sideline - And That Raises Questions
When the Miami Dolphins made the decision to bench quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, it signaled more than just a shift under center. With the playoffs out of reach, Week 16 became less about chasing wins and more about evaluating the roster - especially the young talent buried on the depth chart. But one name that never saw the field raised some eyebrows: wide receiver Tahj Washington.
The Dolphins turned to rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, and to help ease his transition, they paired him with Theo Wease - a familiar face from the scout team. That decision made sense.
Chemistry matters, especially when a young QB is getting his first real reps. But while Wease got his shot, Washington remained on the inactive list.
And that’s where things get interesting.
A Missed Opportunity to Evaluate a Young Receiver?
Washington, a seventh-round pick in 2024, has barely seen the field in 2025. In four games, he’s logged just one catch for 11 yards on two targets.
It’s a small sample size, but the flashes have been there - quick feet, the ability to make defenders miss, and a knack for creating space after the catch. That kind of upside usually earns a longer look, especially when the team has little left to play for but the future.
Instead, Miami opted to keep Washington inactive, a move that raises legitimate questions about where he stands in the organization’s plans. With Nick Westbrook-Ikhine also sitting, the Dolphins rolled into Week 16 with Jaylen Waddle, Cedrick Wilson, Malik Washington, and Wease as their active wideouts. That group has experience, but with the playoffs off the table, it’s fair to wonder why the team didn’t use the moment to get a better read on a developmental player like Washington.
Cap Implications and Roster Math
Washington’s contract isn’t a burden - far from it. He carries a modest $749,000 cap hit, and while every dollar counts in the NFL, that’s not the kind of number that forces tough decisions. Still, the Dolphins are expected to make some tight financial calls this offseason, and that could put fringe players like Washington under the microscope.
If Miami does decide to move on, Washington is the type of player who could find a new home quickly. He’s shown enough in limited action to suggest there’s untapped potential. The question is why the Dolphins aren’t more curious to see what they’ve got.
What the Final Two Weeks Could Mean
With just two games left in the regular season, the writing may already be on the wall. If Washington doesn’t suit up in either of the final two weeks, it could be a sign that his time in Miami is coming to an end.
And he may not be the only one. Westbrook-Ikhine was also inactive, and his future with the team appears just as uncertain.
For a team that’s clearly shifting into evaluation mode, the decision to sideline Washington feels like a missed opportunity - not just for the player, but for the franchise. If the Dolphins are truly looking ahead, giving young players real-game reps is the best way to make informed decisions. And right now, it looks like they’re choosing not to gather that information.
We’ll see if that changes in Week 17 or 18. But if it doesn’t, Washington’s next opportunity may come wearing a different uniform.