The Miami Dolphins lost a brutal Week 15 game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not only did the loss eliminate the Dolphins from playoff contention, but it also reinforced the major issue the Dolphins are facing with Tua Tagovailoa.
He's under contract for a while longer, and the Dolphins cannot get out of his deal anytime soon. But the Dolphins could end up making a quarterback change in the coming year, and in fact, that change might be coming sooner than later.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Mike McDaniel was open to making a quarterback switch for Week 16 after Tagovailoa struggled in Week 15.
Dolphins open to QB switch after Tua Tagovailoa's struggles
"Everything is on the table," McDaniel answered in response to a question about the Dolphins' plan for a quarterback change in Week 16.
While nothing has been decided yet, the Dolphins, after being eliminated from playoff contention, could look to get at another quarterback for the final three weeks of the season.
Tagovailoa won't provide the Dolphins much insight, but getting a look at a backup, especially Texas Longhorns rookie Quinn Ewers, might be worth benching Tagovailoa.
For most of the year, any QB change or switch was not in the cards. But now, with the season essentially over, the Dolphins are more open than ever to trying something new.
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Zach Wilson and Ewers would battle it out for the new starting QB spot if Tagovailoa is benched. Going with Wilson might not be the most compelling switch, but it would be a switch nonetheless.
Miami needs to shift something up, and making a quarterback switch to one of Ewers or Wilson could be the move that helps spark some intrigue down the stretch.
Wilson has 32 passing yards this season on eight attempts after coming in against the Indianapolis Colts. Ewers, meanwhile, had 53 passing yards on eight attempts against the Cleveland Browns.
The potential for a QB change is greater than ever, and one of Ewers or Wilson will likely get a chance to start for the Dolphins as the season unwinds. The only question is when such a move will happen, and who will get the start.
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- Dolphins gave up on their playoff chances with head-scratching 4th quarter vs. Steelers
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