Evaluating the Future

Evaluating the Future

The Miami Dolphins officially turned the page on a pivotal chapter of their season last week, and perhaps their franchise, when they benched quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and handed the offense to rookie Quinn Ewers. The move came as Miami entered the final three games of the 2025 season out of playoff contention, shifting the organization’s focus from the present to the future. That transition began in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, a game that served as Ewers’ first career NFL start and a measuring stick for what the Dolphins might have at quarterback moving forward.

Ewers’ debut was a mix of encouraging flashes and predictable growing pains. The rookie showed confidence early, delivering the ball accurately and pushing the offense downfield. He demonstrated arm talent and poise in the pocket, leading Miami to several productive drives and giving the home crowd a glimpse of his potential.

The game ultimately swung in Cincinnati’s favor as the Bengals capitalized on turnovers and defensive breakdowns. Ewers struggled at times against disguised coverages, forcing throws that resulted in interceptions and short fields for the Bengals’ offense. Cincinnati took control in the second half, pulling away as Miami’s defense wore down and the mistakes mounted.

While the final score reflected a lopsided loss, the result was secondary for the Dolphins. The primary objective was evaluation, and Ewers delivered enough promise to justify the decision to let him play out the remainder of the season.

By starting Ewers, Miami gains valuable game film to assess whether the rookie can be part of the long-term solution or if the team must look elsewhere in the offseason. Tagovailoa remains on the roster, but the message is clear: the Dolphins are evaluating every option under center.

The Dolphins now turn their attention to a Week 17 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hard Rock Stadium. While Tampa Bay enters the game with its own postseason goals, Miami’s priorities remain centered on development and growth. For Ewers, this game represents an opportunity to take a step forward. Improvement in decision-making, ball security, and command of the offense will be closely scrutinized. How he responds after a difficult first start may be just as important as any stat line.

These last couple of games for the  Dolphins are less about wins and losses and more about clarity. Quinn Ewers now has the stage to show whether he can be trusted as a future starter, while the organization gathers critical information that will shape its offseason decisions. The matchup against Tampa Bay offers the next chapter, one that could define the direction of the Dolphins heading into 2026.