The Miami Dolphins are reportedly benching Tua Tagovailoa in favor of giving their rookie signal caller a chance.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel spoke to the media on Tuesday, in what was the most somber tone he delivered thus far regarding the team's quarterback situation. He indicated that the play on Monday was "not good enough," and indicated a major change could be incoming.
McDaniel also indicated that the change would happen on Wednesday. While the Dolphins head coach may still speak to the media regarding the decision, it has already been leaked by many prominent insiders.
Per Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins are benching Tua Tagovailoa. They will be giving rookie Quinn Ewers a chance to start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tagovailoa has struggled in multiple weeks and has shown this season that he has taken a major step down from the passing yards leader he was once. After throwing his league-leading 15th interception, it appears McDaniel needed to make the change.
The Dolphins lost to the Steelers in spectacular fashion, being shut down from moving the ball at all until the fourth quarter. Tagovailoa threw 253 yards and posted a 113.2 passer rating, but most of that was done in garbage time.
With Miami's playoff hopes being shot down, McDaniel had to make the choice to not only potentially save his job as head coach but also end the 2025 season with a winning record.
The Dolphins have Zach Wilson on the team as well, but he has been turnover-prone throughout his career. Instead, the team has chosen to give Ewers a tryout, which is a smarter decision.
Miami will make plenty of changes in 2026, and they can see what kind of stock they have in the rookie quarterback. If he can shine and lead this offense in his potential three-game audition, he may very well be in line to start in 2026.
Ewers was drafted out of Texas in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. While he was slated to be a developmental option, he now gets a shot to start.
The Dolphins can win their final three games and post a 9-8 record to end the 2025 season. Should they do just that, McDaniel may return in 2026.
That might also be the case if Ewers can impress and become a viable starting option for the team, so they do not have to draft a potentially worse prospect or sign a free agent option that does not work out.
Either way, the Tagovailoa era seems to be over in Miami.