Tua Tagovailoa’s job security came into question as the Miami Dolphins sputtered early in the season, but the veteran weathered the storm and oversaw a win streak that had the organization believing a miraculous run to the playoffs was possible.
After a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dolphins’ hopes were crushed — and Tagovailoa’s time as Miami’s starter is done... At least for now.
The Dolphins benched Tagovailoa on Wednesday, a day after coach Mike McDaniel said all options were on the table at the quarterback position ahead of a matchup with Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.
A major move in Miami: the Dolphins are benching QB Tua Tagovailoa and turning to Quinn Ewers as their new starting QB, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2025
Ewers’ first start comes Sunday vs. The Bengals. Pic.twitter.com/lzs2J1EfjP
Here's what you need to know about McDaniel's decision to send Tagovailoa to the bench.
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Why did Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa?
The timing of Tagovailoa’s benching might seem odd after a four-game win streak was interrupted by a single loss in a difficult environment, but a closer look at the sixth-year quarterback’s performance during that stretch helps explain why McDaniel felt a change was necessary.
Tagovailoa averaged just 157 yards per game during the win streak, throwing three touchdowns and three interceptions while failing to reach 175 passing yards in any game, as De’Von Achane and the rushing attack carried the offense. After an upset win over the Bills, the Dolphins’ next three victories came against teams with a combined 11-31 record.
Monday’s loss to the Steelers marked Tagovailoa’s best passer rating in a game since October, but more than half of his yardage came with the outcome no longer in doubt after the Dolphins scored only three points in the first three quarters. Late production did little to sway McDaniel, who made the change anyway.
Tagovailoa leads the NFL with 15 interceptions in 2025, a new career-worst mark.
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Who is the new Dolphins starter?
The Dolphins will reportedly move forward with rookie Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round draft pick, as their starting quarterback.
While former No. 2 pick Zach Wilson has spent most of the season as Miami's backup, Ewers briefly jumped Wilson on the depth chart and appeared in relief of Tagovailoa at the end of a loss to the Cleveland Browns in October.
Rather than go with the more experienced Wilson, McDaniel and the Dolphins are opting to see what they have in the rookie Ewers, who was a five-star recruit out of high school and enjoyed sporadic success during his time as a starter at Texas but failed to emerge as a high-end prospect during the NFL Draft process.
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Dolphins QB depth chart
| Rank | QB |
| 1 | Quinn Ewers |
| 2 | Tua Tagovailoa |
| 3 | Zach Wilson |
1. Quinn Ewers
Ewers was selected by the Dolphins in the seventh round of April's draft after three seasons as Texas' starting quarterback. The former five-star recruit showed flashes with the Longhorns and reached the College Football Playoff twice, each time falling in the national semifinals, but he couldn't put it all together to the point of convincing any NFL team to spend an early draft pick on him.
Ewers, who attempted eight passes in a game against the Browns earlier this season, threw for 68 touchdowns and 24 interceptions at Texas.
2. Tua Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa has been in and out of the mix for the Dolphins over the years due to injuries, but this is the first time he has been sent to the bench while healthy since his rookie season. The former first-round pick was a Pro-Bowler in 2023 and completed nearly 73 percent of passes in 2024, but he has thrown an NFL-high 15 interceptions in 2025 and is sitting on his worst passer rating since his rookie campaign.
3. Zach Wilson
Wilson has spent much of the season as Tagovailoa's direct backup, attempting nine passes on the year, but he was surpassed by the rookie Ewers in what can be labeled the opposite of a vote of confidence for the former No. 2 pick. Wilson has made 31 NFL starts, last appearing with the Jets in 2023 before serving as the Broncos' No. 3 quarterback throughout 2024.
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Tua Tagovailoa contract
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with $167.2 million guaranteed ahead of the 2024 season, but the deal didn't take effect until this season.
Needless to say, 2026 is not the best time for the Dolphins to get out of Tagovailoa's contract, but his benching indicates such a move may be necessary. If Tagovailoa is designated as a post-June 1 release, which can happen even if the move is executed in March, Miami would have to absorb a $67.4 million dead cap hit in 2026 and a $31.8 million dead cap hit in 2027. Compared to Tagovailoa's $56.4 million cap hit if he were on the roster, the Dolphins would be taking an $11 million loss in that scenario.
For the benefits of starting fresh as a new general manager takes over, the Dolphins could very well deem that cost worthwhile.