The energy around Hard Rock Stadium feels different lately. If you haven’t been paying attention to the AFC East, you might still think the Miami Dolphins are just "Tua's team," coasting on that massive extension he signed back in 2024. But honestly? Things have gotten messy. Between a head coaching firing, a surprise benching, and a roster that looks more like a hospital ward than a football team, the question of who is quarterback for Miami Dolphins doesn't have a simple, one-name answer anymore.
Right now, we are looking at a franchise in total flux. As of early 2026, the depth chart is a revolving door. For the first time in half a decade, there is no "face of the franchise" standing behind center with total job security.
The Current State of the Dolphins QB Room
If you looked at the official roster today, you’d see a names like Quinn Ewers, Tua Tagovailoa, and even Zach Wilson. But don’t let the names fool you into thinking it's business as usual.
Basically, the "starter" at the tail end of the 2025 season was Quinn Ewers. He’s the rookie out of Texas that Miami grabbed in the seventh round. Nobody expected him to be anything more than a developmental project, but life comes at you fast in the NFL. After Tua Tagovailoa struggled with a career-high 15 interceptions and a noticeable dip in his QBR (it plummeted to 88.4), former head coach Mike McDaniel did the unthinkable: he benched his $212 million man.
Ewers stepped in for the final three games. He wasn't exactly Joe Montana—going 1-2 as a starter with a 31.3 QBR—but he showed enough "disposition," as McDaniel put it, to stay in the conversation.
The Depth Chart Breakdown
- Quinn Ewers: The young gun. He finished the season as the de facto starter. He’s cheap, he’s mobile, and he represents the "post-Tua" hope, even if his 66.3% completion rate came with its fair share of rookie mistakes.
- Tua Tagovailoa: The incumbent (and the elephant in the room). He’s still on the roster, technically. But after being relegated to the "emergency third quarterback" role in December, his relationship with the team is, well, toxic. He recently told reporters a fresh start would be "dope."
- Zach Wilson: Remember him? The former Jets high-pick signed a one-year flyer with Miami for the 2025 season. He’s a free agent now, and most insiders expect him to walk rather than stick around for a rebuilding project.
- Cam Miller: A late-season addition. Miami plucked him off the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad on New Year’s Day 2026. He’s mostly a body for the 90-man roster as they head into the spring.
Why Tua Tagovailoa is Probably Done in Miami
You've probably heard the rumors about a "divorce" in South Beach. It’s not just talk. When the Dolphins fired Mike McDaniel in early January 2026, it felt like the final nail in the coffin for the Tua era. McDaniel was the "Tua whisperer." Without him, the front office—led by new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan—has very little incentive to keep an expensive, injury-prone starter who just got benched for a seventh-rounder.
The contract is the only thing keeping him here. If Miami cuts Tua before June 1, 2026, they take a staggering $99.2 million dead cap hit. That’s record-breaking territory. However, if they wait until after June 1, they can spread that hit over two seasons.
Honestly, the most likely scenario is a trade. Teams like the Rams or even the Raiders might take a gamble on Tua if Miami eats some of the salary. He’s the franchise's fourth-leading passer of all time, and he still holds the team record for completion percentage at 68%. But his 2025 season was a disaster. He threw 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 14 games. For a guy getting paid top-tier money, those aren't just "down" numbers—they're "get out of town" numbers.
The Search for the 2026 Starter
So, if Tua is gone and Ewers isn't quite ready to be the "the guy," who is quarterback for Miami Dolphins going to be when the 2026 season actually kicks off?
The rumor mill is spinning fast. ESPN analyst Ben Solak recently floated a trade for Tanner McKee from the Philadelphia Eagles. McKee is a smart, conservative player who doesn't turn the ball over—basically the opposite of what the Dolphins saw from their QBs last year.
Then there’s the NFL Draft. Miami currently holds the No. 11 pick. With a new regime coming in, don't be shocked if they use that pick on a high-upside rookie like Taylen Green or even take a swing at a veteran free agent like Malik Willis.
What to Expect This Offseason
- A massive roster purge. It’s not just the QB. Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb are also potential cut candidates because of their massive cap hits in 2026.
- An open competition. Coach McDaniel (before he was let go) promised a wide-open competition. Whoever the new coach is will likely double down on that.
- A "Bridge" Quarterback. Don't be surprised if the Fins sign a veteran like Geno Smith or Sam Darnold to steady the ship while Quinn Ewers continues to develop.
Actionable Insights for Dolphins Fans
If you're trying to keep track of the chaos, keep your eyes on the June 1st deadline. That is the magic date. If Tua is still on the roster after June 2, it means the Dolphins couldn't find a trade partner and might be forced to keep him as an expensive backup.
Also, watch the General Manager's press conferences. Jon-Eric Sullivan is the one calling the shots now. If he starts talking about "financial flexibility" and "long-term vision," that’s code for "we are moving on from the expensive guys."
The era of the high-flying "Greatest Show on Surf" is over for now. The Dolphins are heading into a gritty, uncertain rebuild. Whether Quinn Ewers can actually lead this team or if a new face is coming via the draft, the 2026 season is going to be a wild ride. Keep your notifications on for the trade wire, because the Dolphins' QB room is about to look completely different.
👉 See also: Super Bowl Board 2025: How to Run the Pool Without the Usual Drama
To stay ahead of the news, monitor the waiver wire throughout February and March, as this is when the "post-June 1" designations will start being discussed in league circles. Check the official team transactions page weekly to see if developmental players like Cam Miller are being retained or if the room is being cleared for a rookie arrival.
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