Dolphins' Mike McDaniel commits to Tua Tagovailoa as starter for week 8

The Miami Dolphins lost in a big way to the Cleveland Browns in Week 7, dropping their sixth game of the year 31-6. Tua Tagovailoa led a poor offensive performance, throwing three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Late in the game, the Dolphins turned to newly-elevated backup quarterback Quinn Ewers to finish out the game, and while he didn't do anything incredible, he didn't turn the ball over, and finished with a decent NFL debut against a tough defense.

But, in the aftermath, there was some question over whether Tagovailoa would be the starter going forward. As Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reports, Mike McDaniel shut down those rumors with a clear commitment to Tagovailoa as the team's starter.

Dolphins commit to Tagovailoa as starting quarterback

"Will Tua take all of the first team snaps in practice and remain starter at least next several weeks? Yes, McDaniel said. He will be the starter this week," reports Jackson.

Will Tua take all the first team snaps in practice and remain starter at least next several weeks? Yes, McDaniel said. He will be starter this week.

Tagovailoa is coming off a brutal performance in week 7, which featured three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and another returned to the two-yard-line.

He went 12 of 23 for 100 yards passing, finishing with a paltry offensive performance compared to the $212 million he was paid by the Dolphins. Ewers, a seventh-round rookie, on eight attempts completed five passes for 53 yards and no turnovers.

More: Mike McDaniel Dolphins timeline: Why players-only meeting news from Tua Tagovailoa could signal end of era

This season, Tagovailoa is amid the worst offensive season of his six-year NFL career. While his rookie year wasn't great, in 2025, he's struggling more than he's ever in the NFL.

He leads the NFL in interceptions with 10, has a career-low 82.8 passer rating, and for the first time since his rookie year, is averaging less than 200 yards per game, with 187.6 passing yards per game, just 6.2 more than he had in 2020.

While Tagovailoa has struggled a lot this season, the Dolphins aren't planning to make a change to their starting quarterback anytime soon. Just like how Stephen Ross is committed to McDaniel and Chris Grier, the Dolphins are committed to Tagovailoa.

Miami isn't making a change at starting quarterback, as the Dolphins are sticking with Tagovailoa despite his disastrous Week 7 performance against the Browns. Tagovailoa will be the Dolphins starter in Week 8 against a tough Atlanta Falcons defense.

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