The winds of change are blowing strong in Miami, and they might just sweep Tua Tagovailoa out of town.
After a disappointing 7-10 finish in 2025 and a second straight year without a playoff berth, the Dolphins have hit the reset button in a big way. Jon-Eric Sullivan is in as general manager, Jeff Hafley is the new head coach, and now all eyes are on the quarterback position - specifically, whether Tagovailoa will be part of the team’s future.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport didn’t mince words earlier this week on The Jim Rome Show, saying he’d be “surprised” if Tua remains in Miami. That’s a strong statement, but it tracks with the organizational overhaul already underway. When you bring in a new GM and a new head coach, especially from outside the building, it often signals a desire to build things in their own image - and that starts at quarterback.
Let’s talk about the numbers. Tagovailoa, now 27, just wrapped up his sixth NFL season with 14 starts.
He threw for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and a career-high 15 interceptions. His completion percentage remained solid at 67.7%, but the efficiency metrics dipped - an 88.5 passer rating and a career-low 37.6 QBR.
He was also sacked 30 times, and the offense as a whole never found consistent rhythm.
The contract complicates things. Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension last July, and his 2026 cap hit is a hefty $56.6 million.
That’s elite money, and while Rapoport noted Miami might have to eat a big chunk of that deal to move him, the team could justify it as part of a broader rebuild. If you’re already paying the money, the logic goes, you might as well spend it on flexibility.
So if not Tua, then who?
"I'd be surprised if Tua is in Miami."@rapsheet weighs in on the Dolphins quarterback situation this offseason. pic.twitter.com/2gC6SWf81F
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 4, 2026
One name that’s already in the building is Quinn Ewers. The rookie out of Texas showed flashes in limited action - 622 passing yards, three touchdowns, three picks, and a passer rating of 85.5 over four games (three starts).
Rapoport mentioned he was intrigued by what Ewers showed - not perfect, but composed, with improved physical tools and a calm presence in the pocket. He’s raw, but there might be something there.
The Dolphins will have to decide just how much they believe in his potential.
But even if Ewers is part of the plan, he’s probably not the only piece. Miami is expected to add another quarterback, and one name gaining traction is Malik Willis.
Willis spent the 2025 season in Green Bay, where both Sullivan and Hafley were part of the front office and coaching staff. That connection matters.
In limited action behind Jordan Love, Willis looked sharp - completing 85.7% of his passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns, with a 145.5 passer rating and a 93.1 QBR. He also added 123 rushing yards and two scores on the ground, though he did fumble twice, losing one.
Willis brings a dual-threat element that could fit well in a modern, creative offense. And with familiarity already established between him and Miami’s new leadership, he’s a name to watch. The big question is whether the Dolphins would bring him in as a presumed starter, or to compete with Ewers and whoever else might be in the mix.
This isn’t just a quarterback shuffle - it’s a philosophical pivot. The Dolphins are clearly reimagining their identity, and that starts under center. Whether that means moving on from Tua, handing the reins to a young gun like Ewers, or rolling the dice on a dynamic talent like Willis, one thing is clear: Miami is not standing pat.
The next few months will tell us a lot about how far the Dolphins are willing to go in this reset. For now, the quarterback room is full of questions - and the answers are coming soon.