Why did Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa? Miami turns to Quinn Ewers after elimination

Tua Tagovailoa’s job security came into question as the Miami Dolphins sputtered early in the season, but the veteran weathered the storm and oversaw a win streak that had the organization believing a miraculous run to the playoffs was possible.

After a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dolphins’ hopes were crushed — and Tagovailoa’s time as Miami’s starter is done ... at least for now.

The Dolphins benched Tagovailoa on Wednesday, a day after coach Mike McDaniel said all options were on the table at the quarterback position ahead of a matchup with Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Here's what you need to know about McDaniel's decision to send Tagovailoa to the bench.

MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture entering Week 16

Why did Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa?

The timing of Tagovailoa’s benching might seem odd after a four-game win streak was interrupted by a single loss in a difficult environment, but a closer look at the sixth-year quarterback’s performance during that stretch helps explain why McDaniel felt a change was necessary.

Tagovailoa averaged just 157 yards per game during the win streak, throwing three touchdowns and three interceptions while failing to reach 175 passing yards in any game, as De’Von Achane and the rushing attack carried the offense. After an upset win over the Bills, the Dolphins’ next three victories came against teams with a combined 11-31 record.

Monday’s loss to the Steelers marked Tagovailoa’s best passer rating in a game since October, but more than half of his yardage came with the outcome no longer in doubt after the Dolphins scored only three points in the first three quarters. Late production did little to sway McDaniel, who made the change anyway.

Tagovailoa leads the NFL with 15 interceptions in 2025, a new career-worst mark.

Who is the new Dolphins starter?

The Dolphins will move forward with rookie Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round draft pick, as their starting quarterback.

While former No. 2 pick Zach Wilson has spent most of the season as Miami's backup, Ewers briefly jumped Wilson on the depth chart and appeared in relief of Tagovailoa at the end of a loss to the Cleveland Browns in October.

Rather than go with the more experienced Wilson, McDaniel and the Dolphins are opting to see what they have in the rookie Ewers, who was a five-star recruit out of high school and enjoyed sporadic success during his time as a starter at Texas but failed to emerge as a high-end prospect during the NFL Draft process.