Miami Dolphins Bench Tua Tagovailoa, Start Rookie Quinn Ewers Against Bengals
On December 17, 2025, the Miami Dolphins announced that rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers will start against the Cincinnati Bengals, with Zach Wilson as his backup and Tua Tagovailoa relegated to emergency third-string quarterback. The Dolphins, currently 6-8, have been eliminated from postseason contention.
Head coach Mike McDaniel explained that Ewers offers the best chance to win as the team focuses on defeating the Bengals in their remaining three games. Ewers, 22, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft out of Texas, will make his first NFL start after previously appearing in mop-up duty on October 19 against the Cleveland Browns, completing 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards.
Tagovailoa, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, $212 million extension in July 2024 after leading the NFL in passing yards in 2023 with 4,624 yards. However, this season he has struggled with 15 interceptions, the most in the NFL. In a recent Monday night loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tagovailoa completed 22 of 28 passes for 253 yards and two late touchdowns after a slow start of 6 of 10 for 65 yards.
Additionally, the Dolphins waived veteran pass rusher Matthew Judon, who had signed a one-year, $3 million deal and appeared in 13 games without recording a sack this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
