Mark Gronowski’s run with Miami ended before preseason ever got rolling, but the door to an NFL future is still open.
The Dolphins waived the quarterback on Aug. 7, 2026, cutting him loose after a summer that went sideways. Gronowski had slipped to No. 4 on the depth chart after dealing with interception problems in practice, and Miami moved on just before preseason.
Roster Moves | We have signed safety Tanner Wall and claimed cornerback Ahmari Harvey off waivers from Pittsburgh.
We have also waived quarterback Mark Gronowski and waived/injured safety Omar Brown. pic.twitter.com/5dznrOFD20
- Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 7, 2026
It’s a tough turn for a player who arrived with plenty of buzz. Gronowski was one of the premier FCS quarterbacks in the country at South Dakota State, where he spent four seasons piling up 10,330 passing yards, 93 touchdown passes, 1,767 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns. Year after year, he kept the Jackrabbits in the national-title mix.
Then came January 2025, when he signed with Iowa after winning the FCS Heisman in 2023 and becoming one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the transfer portal. His passing numbers dipped in his lone season with the Hawkeyes, but he still made his mark on the ground, setting Iowa quarterback records with 545 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns in a season.
That production, plus his reputation as a winner, was enough to get him to the next level even after he went undrafted. Miami brought him in to compete with Malik Willis and Quinn Ewers, but the summer did not go the way he needed. Gronowski threw multiple interceptions in practice, and the Dolphins eventually decided he was the odd man out.
Still, there’s a strong case that this is a detour, not the finish line. Gronowski’s résumé is loaded: he’s the NCAA all-time winningest quarterback with more than 50 career wins, and he has shown he can produce both through the air and on the ground.
Outside of his down passing season at Iowa, he posted 2,500-plus passing yards and 400-plus rushing yards in three of his four seasons at South Dakota State. He also brings the kind of mental sharpness and veteran presence teams often chase at the back end of a roster.
That’s why the next stop matters. As the 2026-2027 season approaches, several teams could use another quarterback, and Gronowski fits the profile of a player worth taking a chance on.
Minnesota is one possibility. The Vikings are not fully convinced on former Michigan quarterback J.J.
McCarthy, and they brought in former Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray to compete for the job. Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer are also on the roster, but the starting spot is still unsettled.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has a reputation for getting the most out of his quarterbacks, which could make that situation a fit.
The Jets also stand out. They have spent years searching for steady quarterback play, and the current picture includes Geno Smith and fourth-round pick Kade Klubnik.
Smith struggled during his time in Las Vegas, while Klubnik was productive at Clemson but remains unproven in the NFL. A veteran like Gronowski could make sense there.
Arizona is another team in the mix. The Cardinals moved on from Kyler Murray in March, Jacoby Brissett is unhappy with his contract, and the team drafted former Georgia and Miami quarterback Carson Beck. Beck has looked good this summer and in the Hall of Fame game, but whether he is the long-term answer is still unclear.
The Steelers and Falcons are mentioned as possibilities too, with Aaron Rodgers retiring after next season and Michael Pennix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa not exactly locking down confidence in Atlanta. For now, Gronowski may be headed for a practice squad role, but there’s still a path to becoming useful depth as a third- or fourth-string quarterback.
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