The Miami Dolphins are benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and turning to rookie Quinn Ewers as their new starter, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Ewers’ first start will come Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Ewers briefly served as the team’s backup quarterback for its Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns and briefly entered the game but has otherwise been the Dolphins’ emergency quarterback.
Tagovailoa threw his NFL-worst 15th interception in the 28-15 loss to the Steelers, which eliminated the Dolphins (6-8) from playoff contention.
Tagovailoa threw two touchdown passes Monday night but both scores came with the game already in hand for Pittsburgh. He also took four sacks in the loss.
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.1 million extension in 2024 after he led the NFL in passing yards in 2023. However, he missed a career-high six games last season, and while he has been durable in 2025, his 15 in 14 games are a career high.