UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, the Miami Dolphins have benched quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers as they prepare to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. This decision follows a string of disappointing performances from Tagovailoa, raising questions about his future with the team.
The Dolphins announced the change on Wednesday, marking a dramatic shift for a player who was signed to a $212.4 million contract extension last year. Tagovailoa, who once showcased his talents with impressive stats, has struggled this season, throwing the most interceptions in the NFL while ranking seventh in completion percentage.
Tagovailoa’s stats reveal a sharp decline in performance: he completed 260 of 384 passes for 2,660 yards, with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, leading to a passing efficiency rating of just 88.5. This is a stark contrast to his previous season where he was recognized as an NFL Pro Bowler with the highest completion percentage and fourth in average passing yards per game.
When asked about being benched, Tagovailoa expressed his acceptance of the situation, stating, “I can’t predict the future. It is what it is.” He emphasized his commitment to supporting Ewers, saying, “My role here right now is to help whoever the quarterback is going to be for this team.”
The Dolphins have struggled this season, and with Tagovailoa’s performance declining, the team is looking for a spark as they fight to stay competitive. Ewers, a seventh-round rookie, will take over the starting role, marking a significant moment in his young career.
Looking ahead, the Dolphins are facing critical decisions regarding Tagovailoa’s future. If he remains with the team next season, he will incur a hefty $57 million cap hit, which includes a guarantee of $54 million for the 2026 season. Releasing him would result in a staggering $99.2 million against the 2026 salary cap, a figure that could potentially be reduced to $67.4 million following NFL regulations.
As the Dolphins prepare for their matchup against the Bengals, all eyes will be on how Ewers performs in his first start. Miami fans are anxious to see if this change can turn around the team’s fortunes in what has been a tumultuous season.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops and the impact of this change on Tagovailoa and the Dolphins unfolds.
