The Miami Dolphins benched quarterback Tua Tagovailoa following his performance on Monday Night Football against the Steelers. Head coach Mike McDaniel said of the performance, “The QB play last night was not good enough.”
Following Tua Tagovailoa’s demotion, McDaniel said “It’s the best for all parties involved.” He also added that the decision came with the idea to give the Dolphins the “best chance to win.” He said rookie Quinn Ewers gives Miami the best chance to win on Sunday. Ewers has primarily served as the team’s third-string quarterback this season. Regarding Ewers’ reaction to the news, McDaniel said he “was very excited for the opportunity, but immediately went to work after hearing the news.”
Tua Tagovailoa’s Reaction
Regarding his benching, Tagovailoa said “I’m not happy about it.” Despite expressing annoyance about the decision, he was honest with himself and the media as he added “I would say the biggest thing, and it’s being honest with myself as well, has been my performance. I haven’t been performing up to the level and the capabilities that I have in the past.”
Tagovailoa’s stats have declined this year. His yards per game, passer rating and QBR are the lowest since his rookie year. During his rookie season, he was benched twice in favor of veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. However, on both occasions they were on a game-by-game basis and he was still the team’s starter the following week. Tua had not previously been benched on a full-time basis in his NFL career.
Tua will serve as the team’s third-string quarterback, as Zach Wilson will be the backup to Quinn Ewers on Sunday. Head coach Mike McDaniel declined to speak on Tagovailoa’s future with the organization, but Tua said he “doesn’t know if he has played last game as a Dolphin.”
If he doesn’t play again for Miami, the former fifth-overall pick will finish his Dolphins career with a 44–32 record, 18,166 passing yards, 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions. His accolades include a ninth-place MVP finish in 2022, a Pro Bowl appearance in 2023 and leading the league in passing yards in 2023. He led Miami to the postseason twice; however,a concussion late in the 2022 season left him unable to play in Miami’s playoff game against the Bills. In the 2023 playoffs he went 20-for-39 for 199 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception as the Dolphins lost to the Chiefs in the fourth coldest game in NFL history.
Quinn Ewers
The Dolphins will now turn to rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers. The former Texas Longhorn was drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. When speaking to the media following his announcement as the team’s starter, Ewers said “It’s a dream come true. I’ve always wanted the opportunity to play in the NFL and for that to be coming is truly a blessing — and I’m thankful for the opportunity.”
In three preseason games, Ewers went 23-for-43 for 273 passing yards and two touchdowns. In his only regular season action, he went 5-for-8 for 53 passing yards. Now, he faces a Cincinnati Bengals defense that ranks last in the league in points allowed.
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