MIAMI GARDENS — The Dolphins are naming rookie Quinn Ewers, their seventh-round pick, as their starting quarterback Sunday against Cincinnati, according to an ESPN report.
Coach Mike McDaniel is scheduled to speak at 2:45 p.m. and will adress the quarterback situation.
It’s not yet known what Ewers’ promotion means for veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was awarded a four-year, $212 million contract extension in 2024.
Tagovailoa (20 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 88.5 passer rating) was struggling this season in a number of ways.
Coach McDaniel hinted a change could be coming Tuesday when he said “everything is on the table” when asked about a possible quarterback change.
Ewers (5 of 8, 53 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, 81.8 passer rating) has played in one game this season.
Quarterback Zach Wilson, who McDaniel said was a “direct, calculated” target in the offseason, was the No. 2 quarterback all season except for the Cleveland game, when Ewers surpassed him briefly.
Ewers staged a close battle with Wilson during training camp but Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 draft by the New York Jets, edged him out in the competition.
The Dolphins were eliminated from playoff contention in Monday’s 28-15 loss at Pittsburgh, so it makes sense that the Dolphins would take a look at another quarterback with Tagovailoa playing below expectations.
Tagovailoa’s fall from grace came quickly.
In 2023, he was mentioned in the MVP race but last season his play fell off after he suffered an early-season concussion and a late-season hip injury.
Tagovailoa, who leads the legaue with a career-worst 15 interceptions, has had issues with accuracy, footwork and agility this season.
