With two games left in a disappointing season, the Miami Dolphins find themselves at 6-9 and sitting at No. 22 in the latest Week 17 NFL Power Rankings. After a year that started with playoff expectations, Miami now faces a winter full of questions-at quarterback, in the front office, and potentially even on the sideline.
Ewers Era Begins (For Now)
The Dolphins are expected to hand the starting quarterback job to rookie Quinn Ewers again this week, as Tua Tagovailoa has been benched.
Ewers is set to make his second professional start when Miami hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s a big moment for the young QB, who now has a chance to show what he can do with live reps against a Bucs team also sitting at 7-8 and trying to claw its way to respectability.
While Ewers is still raw, there’s intrigue around what he brings to the table-arm strength, mobility, and a bit of swagger. He’s not the long-term answer yet, but these next two games could offer a glimpse into whether he’s worth investing in or simply a bridge to Miami’s next quarterback chapter.
Tua Benched, Future in Doubt
The decision to bench Tua is as telling as it is sobering.
Once viewed as the franchise’s cornerstone, Tagovailoa’s inconsistency and health concerns have led the Dolphins to reconsider their long-term commitment. Whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or a trade, Miami will be exploring quarterback options this offseason.
The writing’s on the wall: the Dolphins are resetting at the most important position in football.
**Change Coming at the Top? **
It’s not just the quarterback spot under the microscope. The Dolphins are in need of a new general manager, and owner Stephen Ross will soon have to make a call on head coach Mike McDaniel’s future.
McDaniel, known for his offensive creativity and player-friendly approach, has had moments of brilliance, but the team’s inability to sustain success over a full season could open the door to a full reset in the organization.
Ross has a major decision to make. Does he stick with McDaniel and give him another shot with a new quarterback and GM?
Or does he clean house and start fresh? Either way, the Dolphins are heading into an offseason that could reshape the franchise for years to come.
The Road Ahead: Buccaneers and Patriots
Miami closes the season with back-to-back matchups against the Buccaneers and the Patriots.
Both teams are fighting for pride and positioning, and neither will be an easy out. For the Dolphins, it’s less about wins and more about evaluation.
Can Ewers show enough to be part of the future? Can the team show signs of life despite a lost season?
NFL Power Rankings Snapshot
Here’s where things stand around the league as we head into Week 17:
- Seattle takes the top spot at 12-3 after a win over the Rams, followed closely by Denver and New England, both also 12-3.
- The Rams, Bills, Texans, and Eagles round out a top tier that’s been consistently strong down the stretch.
- Meanwhile, the Dolphins are grouped with teams like the Cowboys, Falcons, and Chiefs in the 6-9 range-talented but inconsistent, and all facing major offseason questions.
- At the bottom, the Giants and Raiders are locked in a race for the No. 1 overall pick, each sitting at 2-13.
Final Thoughts
There’s no sugarcoating it: the Dolphins' 2025 season has fallen short.
But what happens next could be even more important than what’s happened so far. With a potential quarterback change, a front office shakeup, and a coaching decision looming, Miami’s next moves will determine whether this is a temporary stumble-or the start of a full rebuild.