In 2025, the Miami Dolphins took All-conference quarterback Quinn Ewers in the seventh round (No. 231 overall) out of Texas to back up former first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa.
However, late in the season, Tagvoailoa was benched, and Ewers was named the starter. The rookie completed 66.3% of his passes for 622 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
While the Dolphins released Tagovailoa this offseason, they signed Malik Willis in free agency to be the team’s starter, once again putting Ewers back on the bench. Still, Dolphins quarterbacks coach Bush Hamdan believes Ewers has some of what it takes to lead a team.
“He’s confident, I think that’s the number one impression,” Hamdan said. “I mean, the guy, I think he’s got a lot of starter traits. And more than anything, he is a confident player. Sometimes I tell him too confident in some of the throws he makes downfield, but you gotta have belief in yourself. It’s something that Coach Hafley’s made a priority on this team. He believes he can play, and I think that’s a huge strength of his.
What exactly does the coach think the quarterback needs to work on?
“I think we want to just speed him up at times,” Hamdan said. “He’s such a natural thrower. At times, it looks like we gotta speed it up. Get the ball out of your hands. I think, like anything, I’ve been extremely impressed with him and his ability to make all the throws. It’s going to come down to decision-making. Year 1, sometimes we can focus on the big plays and the big throws. As you can continue to go in this league, it always comes down to the throws you don’t make. I think, for him, it’s Year 2 in the offense. He has a leg up in that way of knowing it now and knowing what it takes. He just has to continue building.”
Ewers will have an opportunity to prove himself this offseason, and while the Dolphins gave Willis a three-year deal this year, they should be open to competition at the position.
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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins position coach says backup ‘has a lot of starter traits’
Reporting by Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
