Dolphins’ McDaniel answers questions on Tagovailoa situation, offers more on Ewers
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that he never gave any thought to making a quarterback change this season until after the loss to Pittsburgh and said he had no explanation for how Tua Tagovailoa could have regressed so badly this season.
Even though Tagovailoa struggled much of the year, McDaniel said he never considered benching him until he did it a day after the Dec. 15 loss to Pittsburgh.
McDaniel said that was the first time that he thought someone else (Quinn Ewers) would “give us a better chance.”
McDaniel was asked if it makes him sad for himself, or for Tagovailoa, that it didn’t work out with the quarterback after all of the time and money invested.
“I turn into a robot that has no emotions” when needing to make these types of decisions, McDaniel said, adding he might feel those emotions “at some point” when he’s “really reflecting.”
“It’s my job to make tough decisions... I take my job too serious to go there. I think my head coaching decisions are based concretely on fact and expertise that I have to have for this job. Tough things, that what I signed up for.”
Asked how Tagovailoa could have regressed so badly in the prime of his career, he said: “If we had that answer, we would have employed it. If I had that answer, that wouldn’t be the situation how it played out. It was better for all parties to have him as an emergency third [quarterback].”
McDaniel also declined to answer specifically when asked why Tagovailoa’s arm strength has worsened.
McDaniel praised Tagovailoa for how he has handled his benching.
“He had a chance to show people who he is,” McDaniel said. “ He’s trying to assist and help all teammates. He’s showing his true supporting colors. He has taken advantage of the opportunity.”
There are several key questions that McDaniel indicated over the past two weeks that he will not answer during the season, per his policy of not discussing 2026 while the 2025 season is underway:
Among them: Does he envision Tagovailoa being part of the team next season?
Tagovailoa declined to discuss his future, or anything, on Wednesday.
Here’s why McDaniel is bullish about Ewers: “I see some of his best throws and plays in games; it gives you a chance. The way he sees the field and fearlessly lives in the pocket, that’s the bar for NFL quarterback play.”
What would McDaniel tell owner Stephen Ross if asked whether Ewers can be a good longterm starter?
“He has the ability to lead this team with coordinated cohesion play from his teammates. He can lead his team to victory against the opponent in front of us. If his game continues to grow, that’s two for two. Everybody will have 33 percent more information” after Sunday’s game in New England (4:25 p.m., WSVN 7).
Dolphins audition 14, sign one
In a search for a players that could be signed to futures contracts in the weeks ahead, the Dolphins auditioned 14 on Tuesday and signed one to their practice squad: former Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Simeon Barrow.
Barrow played one season for UM (2024) and had 30 tackles (eight for loss) and 5 1/2 sacks. Previously, he had 10.5 tackles and 18.5 tackles for loss in 34 games and 30 starts for Michigan State.
The Dolphins can sign Barrow to a futures contract next week, which would allow Miami to retain his rights all offseason. Barrow went undrafted in April and spent time on the practice squads of the Falcons and Browns.
The Dolphins auditioned, but did not sign, another former Canes player: defensive tackle Anthony Campbell. Others who auditioned Tuesday: quarterbacks Jason Bean (Kansas) and Taylor Elgersma (Wilfrid Laurier in Canada); running back Jordan Rodgers (North Carolina State); wide receivers Elijhah Badger (UF), Kaden Prather (Maryland) and Dohnte Meyers (Delta State); defensive end De’Shaan Dixon (Norfolk State), Jahvaree Ritzie (North Carolina) and Seth Coleman (Illinois); defensive backs Tyron Herring (Delaware), LaMareon James (TCU) Isaiah Bolden (Jackson State).
This story was originally published December 31, 2025 at 12:11 PM.
