Dolphins’ Quinn Ewers ‘not too worried’ about being starting quarterback
In a different world, Quinn Ewers could be the Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback in 2026.
The second-year signal caller showed flashes in his three-game stint to end the 2025 season, completing 67% of his passes for 569 yards and a trio of touchdowns and interceptions.
And yet, the Dolphins opted to sign Malik Willis, a 2022 third-round pick who has accumulated six NFL starts yet primarily served as a backup, to a three-year, $67.5 million deal. Ewers, however, isn’t too worried about his place on the depth chart.
“Having Malik added has been great for everybody,” Ewers said. “He’s a great dude to be around, super fun to have in the room. Right now, I’m not too worried about all that, but just trying to stay ready and continue to improve my game, continue improving in my role, and continue to hone in on all the details.”
Of course, Ewers wouldn’t flat-out bash the signing. The former Texas standout was a seventh-round pick after all; any sort of disagreement with the new regime could find him out of a job quickly.
That said, there were days during the offseason program when Ewers looked better than Willis. Confidence has always been a big piece of Ewers’ game, and although there were some balls that ended up on the ground, he tended to initially push the ball down field more than his counterpart.
“I really think you’ve seen Quinn take the next step of, ‘All right, I’m owning what this is right now,” offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “Let me take advantage of kind of the little bit I already know and let me go out and just play what I see and play convicted and let it rip.’”
That’s in large part due to his increased familiarity. No longer a rookie and in a very similar system to previous coach Mike McDaniel, Ewers has shown signs of growth.
“I’m not swimming anymore so that’s nice,” Ewers said. “We’re finally able to tread water a little bit. I get a full NFL offseason to hone in on some of the smaller details. I don’t have to worry so much about learning each and every play because I feel comfortable enough now that I know I can focus on other things, like keys and tells from the defense. I feel like my game is really starting to improve.”
Coach Jeff Hafley expressed something similar. He praised Ewers’ increased comfortability within the scheme. He praised his increased “command of the huddle.” And he has “seen the confidence grow.”
“He looks as good as he looks since I’ve known him,” Hafley said, adding that Ewers’ has “gotten better.”
That’s not to say Ewers will push for the starting job. Willis possesses a unique ability to not just manipulate the pocket with his legs but make off-schedule throws, something that has become almost a necessity in today’s NFL.
Ultimately, it will be about consistency for Ewers. Sure, he made some impressive throws in helmets and shorts. Can he do it when the pads come on, however, will be the ultimate determinant.
“I would ask he does the same thing as we keep going through camp,” Slowik said. “Play disciplined, stick to the fundamentals as often as we can and then react to what you see, and a lot of times when he just goes, and he plays, and he reacts, he does some really cool stuff.”
