By Jake Boals | May 17, 2026
The Quick Hits:
- From seventh-round pick to NFL backup: Drafted as an afterthought, Quinn Ewers proved his potential with a solid late-season showing in 2025, earning the trust of Miami’s coaching staff.
- Offseason shakeup at quarterback: The Dolphins released Tua Tagovailoa and signed Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal, making him the clear starter while Ewers returned to a backup role.
- Coaching staff sees starter potential in Ewers: Quarterbacks coach Bush Hamdan praised Ewers’ confidence and natural throwing ability, highlighting his potential to develop into a future NFL starter.
From Draft Sleeper to Emergency Starter
When the Dolphins selected Quinn Ewers with the 231st overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, expectations were modest. The plan was simple: let Ewers develop quietly behind Tua Tagovailoa.
That plan quickly unraveled late in the 2025 season. With the Dolphins struggling and Tua benched in Week 16, head coach Jeff Hafley handed the reins to Ewers for a start against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ewers’ stats in limited action were respectable for a seventh-round rookie:
- 66% completion percentage
- 622 passing yards
- 3 touchdowns, 3 interceptions
While he didn’t dominate, Ewers showed enough poise and potential to earn the trust of Miami’s coaching staff.
The Offseason QB Shakeup
Despite Ewers’ late-season audition, Miami opted to go in a different direction for 2026.
- Tua Tagovailoa released: After six seasons as Miami’s franchise quarterback, Tua’s time in South Florida came to an end.
- Malik Willis signed: The Dolphins inked Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million deal, making him the clear starter moving forward.
With Willis entrenched as QB1, Ewers returned to the backup role. But his position coach, Bush Hamdan, sees more in the young quarterback than just a placeholder.
What the Coaches See
According to Hamdan, Ewers has the tools to be a starter in the NFL.
“He’s confident, I think that’s the number one impression,” Hamdan said. “The guy, I think he’s got a lot of starter traits… He just has to continue building.”
Hamdan praised Ewers’ natural throwing ability but emphasized the need for growth, particularly in speeding up his decision-making and trusting shorter throws.
The Dolphins’ coaching staff is clearly invested in Ewers’ development, and his Year 2 in the system gives him a significant advantage in understanding the offense.
The Road Ahead
For now, Malik Willis is the undisputed starter, thanks to his lucrative contract and standing as a former first-round pick. But as every NFL fan knows, the line between starter and backup can blur quickly. Injuries, poor performance, or even a single bad game could thrust Ewers back into the spotlight.
Ewers enters 2026 with real NFL experience, a strong vote of confidence from his position coach, and a chance to continue refining his game. While his future as a starter in Miami is uncertain, it’s clear the Dolphins see potential in the young quarterback.
The message is simple: don’t count him out.
Sources
NFL.com: Malik Willis, Dolphins Agree to 3-Year, $67.5M Contract
Miami Dolphins Official: Dolphins Select Quinn Ewers No. 231
Yahoo Sports: Quinn Ewers Selected in 7th Round by Dolphins
ESPN: Dolphins Bench Tua Tagovailoa in Favor of Quinn Ewers
NFL.com: Dolphins Benching Tua Tagovailoa, Starting Quinn Ewers
Dolphins Wire/USA Today: Quinn Ewers 2025 Stats
