Quinn Ewers Gets the Call: Dolphins Turn to Rookie QB in Week 16
Quinn Ewers is finally getting his shot.
After a year of waiting in the wings, the rookie quarterback is set to make his first NFL start for the Miami Dolphins this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s a big moment for Ewers, who hasn't started a game since last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal - a loss to Ohio State that marked the end of his run at Texas. Fast forward several months, and the former Longhorn is now stepping in for a struggling Tua Tagovailoa, who’s been benched after leading the league with 15 interceptions.
The announcement came Wednesday morning from head coach Mike McDaniel, who said Ewers’ confidence and decisiveness give Miami the best chance to win. And while the Dolphins (6-8) are officially out of playoff contention, this decision isn’t just about salvaging a lost season - it’s about evaluating the future.
“Definitely have been through a lot leading up to where I am now,” Ewers said this week. “At Texas, shoot, even in high school, I think that's all led me to where I am right now. And I just lean back on my faith and that foundation that I think I've done a good job to build up and leaning into that.”
Ewers has spent most of his rookie campaign buried on the depth chart, taking scout team reps and watching from the sidelines. His only in-game action came in Week 7, when he replaced Tagovailoa during a blowout loss to the Browns. Now, he’ll be under center with just one week of first-team practice under his belt - not exactly an ideal ramp-up, but it’s the reality of life as a backup quarterback in the NFL.
“At the end of the day, that’s our job - me and Zach (Wilson) and any backup quarterback in the NFL,” Ewers said. “Be ready when your name is called.”
Wilson, who’s served as the team’s No. 2 for most of the season, will back up Ewers on Sunday. Tagovailoa, meanwhile, moves to the emergency third QB role.
Burrow, Bengals Also Playing for Pride
On the other side of the field, Joe Burrow and the Bengals (4-10) are also out of the playoff picture. But don’t mistake that for a team that’s mailing it in. Burrow, who returned from a turf toe injury just a few weeks ago, says there’s still plenty to play for.
“Any time you get the opportunity to strap up the pads ... and prove your worth through all the hard work that you've put in, that's what we're all trying to do,” Burrow said.
It’s been a frustrating year for the Bengals’ franchise quarterback, who suffered the first shutout of his career last week against Baltimore and has thrown four interceptions in his last five quarters. Despite the setbacks, Burrow made it clear he’s not interested in sitting out the final stretch.
“I like playing football, for the same reasons that I wanted to push to come back from injury,” he said. “Same reasons I want to play this week.
It feels like everybody's trying to do everything in their power to make me not play football, and I feel like I'm fighting it. I'm fighting everybody else.
I just want to play ball. That's all I want to do.”
Bengals Defense Struggling to Contain the Run
If there’s one area the Bengals desperately need to shore up, it’s their run defense - or what’s left of it. Cincinnati enters Week 16 ranked dead last in total defense, last against the run, and last in points allowed.
The numbers are brutal: they’ve allowed six 100-yard rushers this season, including Baltimore’s Derrick Henry just last week. Opponents are gashing them for 157.9 rushing yards per game - the worst mark in the league - and their 5.34 yards allowed per carry is on pace to be one of the highest averages in NFL history dating back to the 1970 merger.
That’s not exactly the kind of support you want behind a quarterback trying to play through injury and regain rhythm.
Miami’s Ground Game Could Be Key for Ewers
If the Dolphins want to give Ewers a real shot to succeed, they’ll need to get their ground game going. Miami managed just 63 rushing yards last week against Pittsburgh, but since Week 10, no team in the league has averaged more rushing yards per game (166.4).
That trend could be critical as Ewers looks to settle in and avoid the frantic play that defined his brief appearance earlier this year.
“The best way we can help Quinn is to make sure we're ready to contribute in the run game, pass protection, routes - whatever that is to support him in his opportunity here,” said Dolphins running backs coach Eric Studesville. “It's our opportunity as well as his.”
Locker Room Reaction: Support for the Rookie, Respect for Tua
Inside the Dolphins locker room, the mood is one of cautious optimism. There’s belief in Ewers’ talent - and also empathy for Tagovailoa, who’s taken the brunt of the blame for Miami’s offensive struggles.
Center Aaron Brewer, one of the team’s captains, said he trusts McDaniel’s decision and praised Ewers’ ability to extend plays and make things happen.
“I believe it was the right decision,” Brewer said. “I feel like the coach always (has) the best interest for the team.”
Linebacker Bradley Chubb, meanwhile, made a point to speak with Tagovailoa after the news broke.
“A lot of great quarterbacks have been benched before, then came back and had career arcs that people still talk about,” Chubb said. “His story is far from over. It's just about how he handles it.”
What to Watch Sunday
So here we are - two teams out of the playoff hunt, two quarterbacks with something to prove, and one rookie about to step into the spotlight.
For Ewers, it’s a chance to show he belongs in this league. For Burrow, it’s about finishing strong and quieting the noise. And for both franchises, these final three games are less about the standings and more about the future.
Sunday might not have postseason implications, but it’s far from meaningless. There’s pride on the line - and maybe, just maybe, a glimpse at what’s coming next.