Rookie Quinn Ewers to Remain Dolphins’ Starting Quarterback

Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers is set to continue as the team’s starter, following a statement from head coach Mike McDaniel. Ewers, who was drafted in the seventh round, made his first NFL start during a challenging matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on March 15, 2024. Despite the Dolphins suffering a 45-21 defeat, McDaniel believes Ewers has “earned” the opportunity to lead the team moving forward.

In his debut, Ewers completed 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards and two interceptions. He stepped in for starter Tua Tagovailoa, who was serving as the team’s emergency third quarterback due to injury. The Dolphins managed to keep the game competitive in the first half, only to falter in the third quarter, where they were outscored 21-0. During this period, Miami turned the ball over three times and failed to convert on fourth down, significantly impacting their performance.

Following the game, McDaniel acknowledged the need to review the tape before finalizing his decision on Ewers’ starting status. However, he expressed confidence in the rookie’s abilities. “That’s kind of how I had it in my mind during the game,” McDaniel noted. “I thought he earned some opportunities to continue to develop. I was happy how he handled the position — that’s not easy.”

The decision to start Ewers came after a previous loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where McDaniel indicated that the Dolphins needed more “convicted play” from the quarterback position. Ewers demonstrated potential in the first half, completing 10 of 12 passes for 109 yards and leading Miami to two touchdown drives.

Unfortunately, the third quarter proved challenging for Ewers, as he threw two interceptions in quick succession. The first interception occurred on a tipped pass during a critical third down, and the second came on an attempt to connect with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Reflecting on the loss, Ewers stated, “It’s hard to win ball games whenever you have three turnovers. I wish I had a couple of those throws back, but I think it’s a good learning moment for all those guys in the locker room, myself included.”

Ewers expressed a sense of calm ahead of his first start and credited his teammates and coaches for their support throughout the week. Despite the disappointing outcome, he emphasized that Miami’s offense performed well, even if the results did not reflect on the scoreboard. “I’m ready for the opportunity, ready to come back out here,” he said.

Looking ahead, Ewers remains focused on improving and is eager to build on his experience. “I think that we’re all going to have a little bad taste in our mouth from tonight. So hopefully we come out there with a better result next week, and I just love challenges.” As Ewers prepares for his next challenge, the Dolphins will look to bounce back from their recent struggles and find success in their upcoming matchups.