Reports: Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa, to start rookie QB Quinn Ewers

Field Level Media|published: Wed 17th December, 12:02 2025

Dec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) in the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

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."

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.

He will be making his first NFL start.

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

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