Miami Dolphins Should Avoid Big Quarterback Addition in 2026

The Miami Dolphins look set to move on from Tua Tagovailoa at the quarterback position in 2026, but the team should not jump at making a splash at the position next year.

Tagovailoa has already been benched, with former Texas Longhorns passer Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, handed the reins for what appears to be the remainder of the season.

Ewers looked confident early against the Cincinnati Bengals, but the team ultimately struggled, falling 45-21 to Joe Burrow and crew, with the Dolphins QB passing for 260 yards and two interceptions.

The result won’t give fans much hope for 2026, with rumours linking the team with some audacious moves such as trading for the first-overall pick to land Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or snatching two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson from the Baltimore Ravens.

While either of these scenarios would no doubt cause plenty of excitement, the Dolphins should not be looking to make any drastic moves at the quarterback position for the 2026 season, regardless of what happens with Tagovailoa.

Miami Dolphins Need to Build a Team First

While the Dolphins certainly have a problem at the most important position, the team as a whole needs some serious changes before making any grand changes under center should be considered.

A stronger offensive line and more receiver talent are two key areas that the Dolphins need to work on developing next season, no matter who is passing the ball.

If the Miami Dolphins are truly set to offload Tagovailoa and his albatross of a contract, then it likely puts Ewers in the frame for the starting job as, above anything else, he costs very little.

Getting rid of Tagovailoa will come with some significant cap penalties, no matter when or how it happens, and the Dolphins will not be able to build a contending team next season, regardless of their desires.

The best way for the team to grow and develop would be to add some serious talent through the Draft, which will cost significantly less than free agent additions. This can provide the Dolphins with a group that could start to create a foundation for the next general manager to build around.

2027 would then be the springboard year, adding even more talent, with more cap space, and a genuine opportunity to create a strong, competitive team.

Stronger QB Draft Class in 2027

The cost of landing someone like Lamar Jackson isn’t something the Dolphins should entertain. While he is an elite player in the league, the Dolphins need a more long-term plan, and selecting their next franchise guy should come via the Draft.

The 2027 Draft projects to be a much stronger class than 2026, with Mendoza and potentially Oregon’s Dante Moore the only quarterbacks with genuinely high upside at the NFL level next year, with Alabama’s Ty Simpson’s solitary season as a starter in college too much of an unknown to truly project.

Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Texas’ Arch Manning, and even USC’s Jayden Maiava are expected to be available in 2027 and could provide the Miami Dolphins with a quarterback who can continue to develop while also leading the team early on if required.

If the Dolphins find themselves sitting near the bottom in 2026, there’s a genuine chance they could draft their guy the following year, while having added more talent that will play around him a year prior.

Developing a team should be the priority, rather than simply targeting one position and trying to make a splash that encourages fans to have some belief that things can be turned around quickly.

Many point to the Denver Broncos’ ability to offload Russell Wilson and build a contender within just two seasons, but more of the pieces that were needed to be competitive were already in place there.

The Dolphins need to look at taking a top QB in 2027, having already started to build a stronger, well-rounded team in other positions before addressing who will be Tagovailoa’s long-term replacement.