The Miami Dolphins are benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and will start rookie Quinn Ewers on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to multiple reports Wednesday. The Dolphins (6-8), eliminated from postseason play, signed Tagovailoa to a four-year, $212 million extension in July 2024 after he led the NFL in passing yards in 2023 with 4,624. […]
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Reports: Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa, to start rookie QB Quinn Ewers
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The Miami Dolphins are benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and will start rookie Quinn Ewers on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to multiple reports Wednesday.
The Dolphins (6-8), eliminated from postseason play, signed Tagovailoa to a four-year, $212 million extension in July 2024 after he led the NFL in passing yards in 2023 with 4,624.
But amid a disappointing season, coach Mike McDaniel hinted Tuesday a change could be coming after a 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.
“The quarterback play last night was not good enough,” McDaniel said. “So for me, everything is on the table.”
Tagovailoa, 27, completed 6 of 10 passes for 65 yards while throwing his NFL-leading 15th interception through the first three quarters of Monday’s game. He finished 22 of 28 for 253 yards with a pair of late touchdowns to tight end Darren Waller.
Tagovailoa has thrown for 2,660 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.
McDaniel said Tuesday that he would choose his quarterback to face the Bengals (4-10) after determining “who gives us the best chance to win.”
Additional changes are expected, and the Dolphins didn’t wait to dismiss one defensive player.
Veteran pass rusher Matthew Judon, who signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Dolphins prior to the season, was waived on Wednesday. Judon, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, appeared in 13 games with Miami. The 33-year-old had zero sacks and was credited with just nine total pressures this season by Pro Football Focus, which would rank in the bottom five of the 112 outside linebackers graded by the site.
The Dolphins acquired Tagovailoa with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Ewers was a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft out of Texas.
Ewers, 22, made his only NFL appearance on Oct. 19 in mop-up duty in a 31-6 loss at Cleveland. He was 5-of-8 passing for 53 yards.
The Dolphins also have journeyman Zach Wilson, who was the No. 2 overall pick in 2021 by the New York Jets, in the quarterback room.
–Field Level Media