Everything in Miami changed when the clock hit zero on the 2025 season. If you are looking for a simple name to put on a jersey, Quinn Ewers is technically the man at the top of the depth chart right now. But being the Miami Dolphins quarterback in 2026 isn't just about who takes the snap; it is about a massive, expensive, and frankly messy divorce that's currently unfolding in South Beach.
Tua Tagovailoa is still here. Sorta.
He’s on the roster, but he finished the year as the emergency third-stringer. That is a wild sentence to write about a guy who signed a $212 million extension not even two years ago. After a brutal 2025 where he threw 15 interceptions and looked legitimately "skittish" behind a struggling offensive line, the team benched him in Week 15. Since then, the vibes in the locker room have been, well, let's just say "tense."
The Quinn Ewers Era (For Now)
When Mike McDaniel—who has since been fired—made the move to bench Tua, he handed the keys to the rookie seventh-round pick, Quinn Ewers.
The former Texas Longhorn wasn't exactly a world-beater in his three starts. He went 1-2. His QBR was a mediocre 31.3. However, he showed enough "moxie" to keep the job for the time being. As of mid-January 2026, the Dolphins official depth chart lists the QB room like this:
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- Quinn Ewers (The young starter with a lot to prove)
- Zach Wilson (The veteran backup who is reportedly "frustrated" about being passed over)
- Tua Tagovailoa (The high-paid superstar in limbo)
It’s a weird dynamic. You have a seventh-rounder starting over a former No. 5 overall pick who is making $54 million this year. Honestly, it’s the kind of salary cap nightmare that keeps general managers awake at night.
What is Happening with Tua Tagovailoa?
If you’re wondering why they don't just cut Tua and move on, the answer is $99 million. That is the "dead cap" hit the Dolphins would take if they released him right now. For context, that would shatter the NFL record for the largest dead money hit in history, a record previously held by Russell Wilson and the Broncos.
Basically, the Dolphins are stuck.
Tua himself hasn't been shy about the situation. He recently told reporters that a fresh start elsewhere would be "dope." That isn't exactly the kind of thing you say when you're planning on being the face of the franchise for the next decade. There is a "potential out" in his contract after the 2026 season, which would make a release much more palatable, but that means they have to figure out what to do with him for the next twelve months.
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Some insiders, like Marcel Louis-Jaques, believe the team will designate him as a post-June 1 cut. This would spread that massive cap hit over two years ($67 million in 2026 and $32 million in 2027). It's a "tough pill to swallow," but with a new head coach coming in, the team might just want a clean slate regardless of the cost.
Who Will Actually Start in September 2026?
This is where things get interesting for the "who is the Miami Dolphins quarterback" question. While Ewers is the incumbent, almost nobody expects the room to stay this way.
The rumor mill is spinning fast. ESPN’s Benjamin Solak has floated a trade for Tanner McKee from the Philadelphia Eagles. McKee is a 25-year-old former Stanford standout who has been sitting behind Jalen Hurts. He’s cheap, he’s conservative with the ball, and he might be exactly what a new coaching regime wants to settle the ship.
There are also the "big fish" options:
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- The Draft: Even though the Dolphins don't have a top-two pick, they could look at someone like Fernando Mendoza if they decide Ewers isn't the long-term answer.
- Free Agency: Names like Malik Willis or even a veteran like Daniel Jones have been mentioned as "bridge" options.
- The Internal Battle: There is a small chance the new coach (the successor to Mike McDaniel) tries to "rebuild the bridge" with Tua. If the offensive line gets fixed—specifically guys like Patrick Paul and Aaron Brewer—maybe Tua regains his confidence. But after he was benched for performance, that feels like a long shot.
The Offensive Line Problem
We can't talk about the quarterback without talking about the guys supposed to be protecting him. Part of the reason the QB play was so bad in 2025 was that the line was a sieve. Jonah Savaiinaea was statistically one of the lowest-rated linemen in the league. Austin Jackson has been "continuously hurt."
If the Dolphins don't fix the trenches, it won't matter if it's Quinn Ewers, Tua, or Dan Marino back there. They’re going to get hit. A lot.
Actionable Insights for Dolphins Fans
If you are trying to keep track of this saga, here is what you need to watch over the next few months:
- The Post-June 1 Window: This is the "danger zone" for Tua. If he is still on the roster after June 1, he might actually stick around as a very expensive backup.
- The Head Coaching Hire: Whoever gets the job will likely pick "their guy." If the new coach has a history with a specific veteran, expect a trade or a signing immediately.
- Free Agency (March): Watch for the Dolphins to sign a "high-end veteran competitor." They won't go into 2026 with just Ewers and Wilson; they need someone who can actually win games if the rookie falters.
- The Draft (April): If the Dolphins take a QB in the first two rounds, the Quinn Ewers era is effectively over before it really started.
The Miami Dolphins quarterback situation is the most expensive soap opera in the NFL right now. Whether it’s a rookie seventh-rounder or a traded-for veteran, the 2026 season is going to be a massive turning point for this franchise. For now, keep your eyes on the transaction wire—the name under center today is probably not the one who will be there in the fall.