Mike McDaniel’s long wiew on Quinn Ewers signals how Miami evaluates quarterbacks

Aman Sharma

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Mike McDaniel’s long wiew on Quinn Ewers signals how Miami evaluates quarterbacks image

Long before roster math or contract guarantees entered the conversation, Mike McDaniel had already logged an impression of Quinn Ewers.

During the University of Texas Pro Day in 2024, Ewers stepped in as a sophomore to throw for teammates while scouts focused on wideout Xavier Worthy.

Afterward, McDaniel sought Ewers out, offered praise, and began a relationship that would later matter far more than anyone realized.

That early interaction now sits at the start of a chain of events that has reshaped Miami’s season. The Dolphins are preparing to start Ewers over Tua Tagovailoa against the Cincinnati Bengals, a move that elevates a seventh-round rookie and sidelines the franchise quarterback.

 

Ewers’ preparation has matched the opportunity. He spent late Tuesday night at the facility working alongside passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell, then followed with a productive practice week.

Miami’s choice is not short-term theater. Ewers is positioned to start the final three games after passing former backup Zach Wilson, while Tagovailoa’s long-term standing has become uncertain.

Tagovailoa’s contract complicates the picture. He carries a fully guaranteed $54 million in 2026, and a release would spread a $99.2 million dead cap charge across two seasons. A trade that includes salary absorption remains the cleaner option if Miami moves on. 

Why conviction now outweighs continuity in Miami

McDaniel’s shift did not emerge from a single practice or matchup. It followed a season in which Tagovailoa struggled to manage pressure, hesitated on reads, and finished with a league-high 15 interceptions.

For the Dolphins’ offense, the head coach has emphasized decisiveness over flawlessness. When windows appear, the ball needs to be delivered without delay. McDaniel believes that mindset fits Ewers.

The rookie’s path to this point was anything but linear. Once projected as a Day 2 selection, Ewers slid after an injury-filled final year at Texas and a draft board that favored other quarterbacks.

New Orleans selected Tyler Shough in the second round. Seattle took Jalen Milroe in the third. As the final day approached, teams hesitated to add a high-profile college quarterback as a developmental reserve, especially one whose NIL presence made him a national figure.

Miami’s internal evaluation broke from that hesitation. As the sixth round gave way to the seventh, Ewers’ agent Ron Slavin remained in contact with Dolphins co-director of player personnel Adam Engroff. The pick came shortly after, delivered by text, and set off a celebration at Ewers’ watch party.

Now, the stakes have changed. This is no longer about draft value or patience. By choosing Ewers, McDaniel is signaling a recalibration in how Miami weighs the position. Arm talent, competitive response, and decisiveness under stress have moved to the front of the checklist. 

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Contributing Writer