It is a mess in Miami. Honestly, there’s no other way to put it right now as we hit the early weeks of 2026. If you’re looking for a simple name to answer who is the quarterback of the miami dolphins, you’re actually looking for three different names, depending on whether you mean who started most of the games, who finished the season, or who will actually be under center when training camp rolls around.
Right now, the depth chart technically lists rookie Quinn Ewers as the guy on top. But Tua Tagovailoa is still on the roster. And Zach Wilson is lurking in the background. It is a absolute logjam of high-priced contracts, rookie potential, and a lot of "what if" scenarios that have the fan base at Hard Rock Stadium completely divided.
The Quinn Ewers Era Started Sooner Than Expected
Most people thought 2025 would be another year of the Tua and Mike McDaniel track meet. It wasn’t. After a dismal 1–6 start and a series of performances where the offense looked stagnant, McDaniel made the move that essentially ended his own tenure in Miami: he benched Tua.
Quinn Ewers, the seventh-round pick out of Texas who everyone figured would just be a clipboard holder, took over for the final three games of the 2025 season. He didn't set the world on fire—throwing for 107 yards in some relief appearances and managing a few scores—but he provided a spark that the veteran couldn't.
- Quinn Ewers: Current "unofficial" QB1 after starting the final stretch of 2025.
- Tua Tagovailoa: The benched veteran with a massive contract and an uncertain future.
- Zach Wilson: The primary backup for most of last year who remains a depth piece.
The vibe in the locker room during the January 5, 2026, cleanout was... telling. Tua basically told reporters that a "fresh start" elsewhere would be "dope." When a franchise guy uses the word dope to describe leaving, you know the marriage is over.
The Financial Nightmare Keeping Tua in Miami
Here is the thing about who is the quarterback of the miami dolphins: the team might be stuck with Tua even if they don't want him. Moving on isn't as easy as just handing him a plane ticket.
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Because of the massive $212 million extension he signed back in 2024, the Dolphins are staring at a $99.2 million dead cap hit if they cut him before June 1. That is a league-record number. It’s basically NFL financial suicide.
If they wait until after June 1, they can split that pain over two years, but they’d still be paying over $67 million in 2026 for a guy to not play for them. This is why new interim leadership and the front office are desperately looking for a trade partner. They need someone to eat a portion of that salary, but with Tua's recent injury history and the 15 interceptions he tossed in just 14 games last year, the market is cold.
Why the McDaniel Firing Changes Everything
Mike McDaniel is gone. The 7–10 finish and the second straight year of missing the playoffs was the final straw. With a new head coach coming in, the question of who is the quarterback of the miami dolphins gets even more complicated.
A new coach might look at Tua and think, "I can fix this." Or, they might look at Quinn Ewers and see a cheap, young prospect they can build around from scratch. There is even talk of a "three-way competition" in 2026 involving a high draft pick, especially since the Dolphins have a decent slot in the upcoming draft.
The 2025 Stats That Broke the Offense
- Tua Tagovailoa: 2,660 yards, 20 TDs, 15 INTs (Career high).
- Team Scoring: 20.4 points per game (Ranked 25th in the NFL).
- Record: 7–10 (3rd in the AFC East).
The "Greatest Show on Surf" turned into a puddle. The offensive line couldn't protect anyone, and for the first time, we saw Tua’s confidence visibly shake. He was sacked 30 times in 14 games. That does something to a player, especially one with his concussion history.
What Really Happened with the Injuries?
We can't talk about the Miami QB situation without addressing the trauma. Darren Waller recently pointed out that the physical and psychological toll on Tua has been immense. He missed a career-high six games in 2024, and while he stayed relatively healthy in 2025 until the benching, the "zip" on his ball seemed gone.
Some fans think he should retire for his own health. Others think he’s just a victim of a bad system that didn't adapt. Honestly, it’s probably a bit of both. The Dolphins' medical staff has been under a microscope for years now, and the pressure on the next quarterback—whoever that is—to stay upright behind a struggling line is going to be massive.
The Case for Quinn Ewers in 2026
If you’re betting on the future, Ewers is the logical choice. He’s cheap. He has a big arm. He doesn't carry the "will he or won't he" retirement baggage that follows Tua every time he takes a hit.
The problem? He was a seventh-round pick. Typically, teams don't pin their entire franchise's hopes on a guy taken that late unless he’s the next Brock Purdy. But in a league with a hard salary cap, having a starting QB on a rookie deal is the ultimate "cheat code." If the Dolphins can get average production out of Ewers, they can spend that saved Tua money (eventually) on a defense that gave up nearly 25 points a game last year.
Looking Ahead: Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're trying to keep track of this saga, here is how you should watch the next few months play out:
- Watch the March 11-20 Window: This is when the Dolphins have to decide on Tua's second option bonus. If they don't pick it up, it’s a massive signal they are moving on by any means necessary.
- Monitor the Coaching Search: A "defensive-minded" coach likely means they’ll lean toward a safe, game-manager QB approach (Ewers or a veteran). An "offensive guru" might try to salvage Tua one last time.
- Draft Day Clues: If Miami trades up into the top five, neither Tua nor Ewers is the long-term answer. They are going for a blue-chip prospect.
The question of who is the quarterback of the miami dolphins isn't going to have a boring answer anytime soon. It’s a high-stakes financial thriller masquerading as a football depth chart. Whether it’s a "dope" fresh start for Tua in a place like Las Vegas or Tennessee, or a youth movement with Ewers in South Beach, the 2026 season is going to look radically different than the last five years.
Keep a close eye on the waiver wire and the March league year start. That is when the real dominos will fall.