Quinn Ewers bets on himself, turning down major NIL money for the Dolphins
When University of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, giving up his final year of NCAA eligibility, it wasn’t a financial decision. It was about chasing a lifelong goal.
“I felt like it was time to pursue my ultimate dream, and that’s being an NFL quarterback and being an NFL player,” Ewers said on Wednesday afternoon after Day 7 of Dolphins training xamp when asked about the decision. “Sure, I had opportunities to go continue on and play in college, but I felt like I was ready to take that next step, and I’m glad I did.”
The decision came at a steep cost. Ewers reportedly turned down an $8 million NIL offer from a college football powerhouse, according to multiple sources. Miami and Duke were also said to have offered $4 million each.
Ewers was selected 231st overall by the Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2025 Draft from the University of Texas, where he threw 9,218 yards and 68 touchdowns. His rookie deal is worth approximately $4.3 million over four years, roughly half of what he could have earned staying in school another season. Seventh-round picks aren’t usually showered in cash.
Now, he could be the Dolphins’ biggest bargain, showing out during training camp thus far and slowly rising on the depth chart.
During Monday’s red zone drills, he threw three touchdown passes, the sidelines erupting in celebration after each. Last week, he connected with receiver Dee Eskridge on a 20-yard pass, and then hit tight end Tanner Conner in the seam for another 15-yard gain, highlighting his growing connection with his offense.
“I think Quinn’s been balling,” starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Wednesday.
But whether Ewers is ready to overtake current backup Zach Wilson is still up for debate.
Wilson has struggled during training camp thus far, especially finding himself in hot water when looking to make connections in the red zone. He has shown flashes of promise, like his 30-yarder to Eskridge downfield, but the very next play, he nearly threw a pick to cornerback Ethan Bonner.
However, the four years he has under his belt in the NFL means that Dolphins quarterback Mike McDaniel isn’t ready to make the switch.
“Zach is the backup quarterback,” McDaniel said Wednesday morning. “There’s no such thing as noncompetition, and I think Quinn is the type of person who is every day trying to make that a real competition. Right now, it’s not like that in my mind, but I’m very candid about being open to anything the players tell me with actions and not words. But he’s [Ewers] doing a great job.”
For Ewers, the focus isn’t about leapfrogging Wilson. It’s about mastering the details of the team’s offense and building trust within the locker room — steps that may show McDaniel he’s ready to make the jump.
“I’m still learning and trying to play my game and have fun doing it,” Ewers said. “Because at the end of the day, we’re all blessed to be out here playing the sport that we grew up loving, and it’s been a journey for all of us. For us to all meet here and have the same goal, and compete for the same goal, is super special.”
This story was originally published July 30, 2025 at 1:34 PM.