Why the Dolphins benched Tua Tagovailoa now
This move had been brewing since Monday night’s loss, when Miami’s offense sputtered for most of the game before Tagovailoa’s stat line got padded late.
McDaniel publicly said the quarterback play “was not good enough” earlier in the week, and the Dolphins now appear to be chasing a different spark after a month where the passing game rarely looked like the quick, rhythm attack that once defined it.
Dolphins to start rookie QB Quinn Ewers vs. Bengals. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/mb9GE5EzBV
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2025
Tagovailoa’s 2025 season has been messy, too. He leads the NFL with 15 interceptions, and NFL.com notes his efficiency metrics have slid into the bottom tier among regular starters. That matters, because it changes the conversation from “slump” to “direction,” especially now that Miami is out of the playoff picture and can justify using live reps as a measuring stick.
What Quinn Ewers can prove vs the Cincinnati Bengals
Starting Ewers over Wilson is the tell here. Wilson has been the primary No. 2 most of the season, so jumping straight to the rookie reads like Miami wants an honest look at what it has, not just a short term patch.
Ewers has only seen brief action so far this year, but now he gets a full week of prep and a real game plan built around him.
A major move in Miami: the Dolphins are benching QB Tua Tagovailoa and turning to Quinn Ewers as their new starting QB, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2025
Ewers’ first start comes Sunday vs. the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/lzs2J1EfjP
Tagovailoa is on a massive deal signed in 2024, and moving on is not simple when you factor in guaranteed money and potential dead cap. That’s why the next few weeks matter.
If Ewers shows he can operate the offense with conviction and avoid the back breaking mistakes that have haunted Miami’s passing game, it at least gives the front office a credible alternative to explore going into 2026.
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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