With a 6-8 overall record and a third-place spot in the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins simply had to change something when it came to their game plan.
This week, ahead of the Dolphins' conference matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami head coach Mike McDaniel called for one of the biggest possible changes: he benched quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and will start rookie Quinn Ewers.
Just like that, a former Texas Longhorn is a starting quarterback in the NFL as Ewers prepares for his first career start and just his second regular-season game of his young career.
Quinn Ewers becomes starting QB in Miami
Earlier this season, Ewers stepped into the Dolphins' disastrous performance against the Cleveland Browns. He completed just five passes (62.5 percent) for 53 yards before Miami had to punt the ball, and the game came to an end.
Now, Ewers will finally have a genuine opportunity to prove himself worthy of the starting role as Tagovailoa rides the bench alongside third-string QB Zach Wilson.
Dolphins to start rookie QB Quinn Ewers vs. Bengals. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/mb9GE5EzBV
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2025
In the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Dolphins selected Ewers 231st overall, and he went on to show quite a few people that he deserved to be picked earlier in the draft. Over three preseason games, he earned 273 passing yards for two touchdowns, earning an 88.6 quarterback rating.
Both the Dolphins and the Browns are out of playoff contention, having been mathematically eliminated. However, while the game itself might not count for a ton, it is a chance for Ewers to cement himself as a desirable player in the NFL.
On Sunday, Dec. 21, both Longhorn and Dolphin fans can tune into CBS at noon CT to see Ewers and the rest of Miami in action against Cincinnati.