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Dolphins decide on their new starting quarterback

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Dec 17, 2025 12:49 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins are making a quarterback change, and have opted to go an interesting route with their new starter.

The Dolphins are benching Tua Tagovailoa and will start rookie Quinn Ewers against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

A major move in Miami: the Dolphins are benching QB Tua Tagovailoa and turning to Quinn Ewers as their new starting QB, per sources.

Ewers’ first start comes Sunday vs. the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/lzs2J1EfjP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2025

The choice of Ewers to start is an intriguing one. The former Texas quarterback was a seventh-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft and was initially the team’s third-string quarterback. He was eventually promoted to the backup role, and even got some playing time in a blowout Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel had hinted fairly strongly that Tagovailoa would be benched after a poor showing against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday. By starting Ewers ahead of Zach Wilson, the coach is likely seeing if the seventh-round pick can flash enough potential to demonstrate that he might have an NFL future.

Tagovailoa has thrown for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns and a career-worst 15 interceptions this season. His long-term future with Miami is murky at best.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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