The Dolphins benched Tagovailoa on Wednesday forward of their Week 16 sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Rookie QB Quinn Ewers will as an alternative get the beginning for Miami. Ewers was a legendary highschool recruit and a Heisman contender with the Texas Longhorns at one level, however he was additionally solely a seventh spherical choose within the 2025 NFL Draft. For Tagovailoa, getting benched for a seventh spherical rookie is a catastrophe.
Tua has struggled this season with out injured receiver Tyreek Hill because the Dolphins have gotten out to a 6-8 begin. He has 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions on the 12 months, however his efficiency has been even worse than these numbers point out. If the Dolphins lower him over the offseason, they’ll have a comical quantity of lifeless cash on the books. His $54 million wage is already assured for subsequent 12 months, and reducing him triggers an excellent greater cap hit.
Tagovailoa has been dangerous for a myriad of causes. He simply doesn’t have the arm power to suit balls into tight home windows. He’s additionally been concussed so many occasions that he’s understandably not keen to face within the pocket and take successful. His accuracy is shaky at occasions, and he’s a little bit of a statue within the pocket. Ewers doubtless received’t be significantly better, however the Dolphins needed to attempt one thing.
The Dolphins are quietly one of many worst North American professional sports activities franchises
The Dolphins haven’t superior within the playoffs since 2000.
Right here’s what that regarded like on TV:
Miami has been mired in mediocrity for many years with no hope of ever getting out of it. They’re the Chicago Bulls of the NFL, solely Dan Marino didn’t win the fanbase any rings, not to mention six.
The Tua period appears over in Miami. Now the one query is that if Mike McDaniel will nonetheless be the top coach going ahead, and what the Dolphins’ long-term plan at QB seems to be like.
