Who will be the Dolphins starting quarterback next season? Miami decides “to move in a new direction”
The Miami Dolphins are officially releasing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but who will take over the position for the 2026 season?
The Miami Dolphins made it official Monday. They’re moving on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Now the question is, who replaces him?
With the new NFL league year approaching and the roster entering a major rebuild under head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, Miami suddenly finds itself searching for a starting quarterback for the 2026 season. And the answer may not be simple.
We have informed QB Tua Tagovailoa that he will be released after the start of the new league year. pic.twitter.com/vc0chU6gYk
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) March 9, 2026
Post Tua era in Miami: The Dolphins’ options at quarterback in 2026
The in-house option: Quinn Ewers
The most straightforward solution is already be on the roster. Quarterback Quinn Ewers, who took over late last season after Tagovailoa was benched, could open the year as the starter by default.
Ewers didn’t produce eye-popping numbers, but he also showed enough poise to suggest he belongs in the NFL. The Dolphins seem to be prioritizing long-term rebuilding over short-term contention at the moment, so Ewers could serve as a temporary bridge.
The bigger question is whether Miami believes Ewers has the potential to develop into something more than a backup. If the new regime views him as a developmental project rather than a franchise centerpiece, they could still look elsewhere for competition.
The veteran market
Free agency could present several intriguing possibilities.
Among the most talked-about names is Kyler Murray, who has been informed he will be released. A change of scenery might appeal to both Murray and the Dolphins, though the fit would depend on Miami’s long-term plans.
Other veteran quarterbacks could also enter the conversation, including:
- Marcus Mariota
- Anthony Richardson
- Malik Willis
Each option comes with varying levels of risk and upside. Mariota represents the classic veteran bridge quarterback - experienced, steady, and unlikely to command a massive contract. Richardson, on the other hand, would be more of a reclamation project with significant athletic upside. Willis could be an intriguing middle ground, especially if the price tag remains manageable.
The wild-card scenarios
Of course, quarterback markets rarely unfold predictably. Names like Jimmy Garoppolo or even a comeback attempt from Derek Carr have surfaced in speculation. While neither seems like an obvious long-term answer, the Dolphins’ new leadership has not yet revealed its blueprint for rebuilding the roster.
The uncertainty leaves the door open to unexpected moves. A trade, a short-term veteran signing or even a surprise draft pick could all factor into the equation.
A bridge year may be coming
One possibility gaining traction around the league is that Miami could treat 2026 as a transitional season. If the upcoming quarterback draft class lacks elite depth, the Dolphins may prefer to wait until 2027, when many analysts expect a stronger group of prospects.
Sources: The Dolphins are releasing QB Tua Tagovailoa with a post–June 1 designation.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2026
By cutting Tagovailoa, Miami will take on an NFL-record $99 million in dead money, split over two years, but new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and HC Jeff Hafley now get a fresh start at the quarterback… pic.twitter.com/521FwOj0MR
In that scenario, Miami could start a stopgap quarterback, whether Ewers or a veteran, while accumulating draft capital and reshaping the roster. Given the number of roster changes already underway, patience might be the strategy.
What’s clear is that the Dolphins are entering unfamiliar territory. The franchise spent years trying to build around Tagovailoa, designing an offense tailored to his strengths and surrounding him with explosive playmakers. Now that plan is gone.
The quarterback position is suddenly the biggest question facing the organization. Whether the answer comes from the roster, free agency or the draft, Miami’s next move under center will go a long way toward defining the Hafley era.
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