Quinn Ewers Faces Increased Competition as the Dolphins Add a QB with 10,000 Yards

In the high-stakes world of the NFL, few things draw as much attention as a team’s quarterback room. For Quinn Ewers, the former five-star Texas Longhorns signal-caller and one of the most closely followed quarterback prospects in recent memory, the spotlight just got a little brighter—and a lot more complicated. After being drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Ewers now finds himself in the middle of a brewing quarterback competition intensified by the Dolphins’ recent acquisition of a battle-tested veteran with over 10,000 career passing yards.

This move has dramatically altered the landscape of the Dolphins’ QB hierarchy. Once seen as a developmental project with the potential to be groomed behind Tua Tagovailoa, Ewers must now contend with a seasoned pro eager for redemption and another shot at starting duties. The clash of raw potential versus veteran experience is a classic NFL storyline, and in Miami, it may shape the team’s future under center.

Quinn Ewers’ journey to the NFL has been anything but conventional. Crowned the top quarterback in the Class of 2021, Ewers reclassified to graduate early and enrolled at Ohio State. After a short and uneventful stint in Columbus, he transferred to Texas where he found both opportunity and pressure as the face of Steve Sarkisian’s offense.

At Texas, Ewers showcased flashes of brilliance, combining elite arm talent with a calm demeanor. Over the course of two seasons, he passed for over 9,000 yards and accounted for 68 touchdowns. He developed chemistry with NFL-caliber weapons and played well in big games, including a standout performance in the 2023 upset over Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Despite his pedigree and production, Ewers fell down draft boards. A mixture of injuries, questions about his consistency, and a crowded quarterback class led to him slipping into the seventh round. For some analysts, it was a classic case of a high-risk, high-reward talent being overlooked. For the Dolphins, it was a low-cost flyer on a player who once drew comparisons to elite NFL starters.

Just weeks after drafting Ewers, the Dolphins added another quarterback to the roster: Zach Wilson. The former BYU star and second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Wilson brings over 10,000 career passing yards and plenty of baggage from a tumultuous stint with the New York Jets. Yet despite his rocky past, Wilson remains a talented passer with a strong arm and valuable NFL experience.

His addition changes the calculus in Miami. While Ewers was initially expected to compete for the backup job behind Tua, he must now outperform a veteran with starting experience and motivation to rebuild his reputation. The quarterback room, once a clear one-two punch with Tagovailoa and a developmental rookie, has morphed into a more complex and competitive environment.

The Dolphins’ front office framed the Wilson signing as a strategic move to bolster depth and add a “known quantity” behind Tua. But make no mistake—this is now a full-blown quarterback competition. And for Ewers, that means the margin for error just got thinner.

Head coach Mike McDaniel has spoken glowingly about Ewers since the draft. He noted the similarities between the Longhorns’ offensive system and Miami’s, which could give the rookie an edge in adapting to the playbook. “There’s a familiarity in terms of terminology and structure,” McDaniel said. “That gives Quinn a leg up in learning, but the NFL is a different animal. You have to earn every snap.”

McDaniel, known for his quarterback-friendly schemes and creative play calling, sees potential in Ewers. “He has a quick release, good touch on intermediate routes, and you can see the mental toughness,” McDaniel said. “He’s not afraid to make mistakes, and that’s an important trait for young quarterbacks.”

Still, the coach was careful to temper expectations. “We’re building a competitive environment,” he added. “It’s not about draft position or pedigree. It’s about execution, growth, and earning trust in the locker room.”

For Ewers, the Dolphins present both a golden opportunity and a daunting challenge. He enters a QB room led by an entrenched starter in Tagovailoa, whose own future with the franchise remains uncertain due to injury history and ongoing contract negotiations. In a sense, Ewers is being groomed as insurance—a potential heir if Tagovailoa fails to stay healthy or meet expectations.

But that path is now obstructed by Wilson, who, despite his failings in New York, still offers a proven NFL arm and more than 30 career starts. It creates a unique dynamic: Wilson, eager to reclaim his NFL status, and Ewers, trying to prove he belongs at this level.

Teammates have already taken note of Ewers’ poise and preparation. Dolphins GM Chris Grier praised the rookie’s demeanor and intelligence. “He asks the right questions,” Grier said. “He’s already in the film room early. You can tell he wants to get better.”

In many ways, the competition between Ewers and Wilson represents two different eras of quarterback development. Wilson is a product of the old-school system where top picks are expected to start immediately, often with mixed results. Ewers, despite his high school hype, is taking a more patient approach. The seventh-round designation removes some pressure and allows him to focus on growth rather than instant success.

Wilson’s NFL resume may be longer, but it’s also blemished. After flashing early promise with the Jets, his inconsistencies, decision-making, and reported locker room issues derailed his career. The Dolphins believe a change of scenery, paired with McDaniel’s system, could revive his career.

But if Wilson falters in training camp or preseason, Ewers will be waiting in the wings. The Dolphins aren’t tied to Wilson financially, and their investment in Ewers—though minimal in draft capital—signals a desire to cultivate young talent.

The competition behind Tagovailoa also has larger implications for the Dolphins’ long-term planning. With Tua entering the final year of his rookie deal and no extension yet in place, Miami’s front office must consider life beyond their current starter.

Injuries have plagued Tua’s career, including multiple concussions that raised serious concerns about his long-term viability. When healthy, he’s been effective, particularly under McDaniel’s guidance. But the Dolphins can’t afford to ignore the risk. Both Ewers and Wilson could be viewed as contingency plans, with the 2025 season serving as a litmus test for who deserves the next-man-up title.

Should Tua miss time in 2025, the pressure will mount to determine which backup is most capable of leading a playoff-caliber roster. Miami’s offense, stacked with talent including Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, is built to win now. That makes the backup quarterback battle more than just a developmental footnote—it’s a critical storyline.

Adding to the drama is the media circus surrounding Ewers. Former NFL star Dez Bryant recently made headlines by claiming that Ewers would eventually replace Tua as the Dolphins’ starter—and even invoked the name of Dan Marino in his praise. “Quinn Ewers has that it-factor,” Bryant said. “He reminds me of Marino with the way the ball comes out.”

Those comments sparked heated debate. Some fans embraced the optimism, while others criticized the comparison as premature. Ewers, for his part, has stayed quiet and focused. “I’m just trying to learn the system, earn the respect of my teammates, and do my job,” he told reporters.

Still, such buzz is hard to ignore. Every preseason rep will be scrutinized, every throw analyzed. The pressure may be enormous, but so is the opportunity. A strong showing in August could vault Ewers into the QB2 spot—and put him one Tua injury away from meaningful snaps.

While the Dolphins may carry three quarterbacks, roster spots are precious. Ewers must not only outperform Wilson in camp but also show enough promise to justify a spot over more experienced depth options.

His advantage? Upside. NFL teams are always looking for the next breakout quarterback, and Ewers offers more long-term potential than most late-round picks. Miami may choose to invest in his development, especially if he flashes in preseason.

The other wildcard is the practice squad. If Ewers doesn’t make the 53-man roster, the Dolphins could try to stash him, though they’d risk losing him to another team. For a player once seen as a future top-10 pick, that risk might be too great.

For Quinn Ewers, this moment may define the trajectory of his NFL career. The talent is undeniable—he has the arm strength, the pedigree, and the confidence. But he now faces the harsh reality of competing against a seasoned veteran, in a quarterback room with stakes far higher than most rookies encounter.

Whether he emerges as Miami’s QB2, lands on the practice squad, or even challenges for the starting role in the coming years, one thing is clear: the pressure is on. In a league where opportunities are fleeting, and quarterback battles define franchises, Ewers must rise above the noise and prove that he belongs—not as a draft-day flyer, but as a future face of an NFL team.

The next few months will offer answers. Can the young gunslinger from Texas outduel a 10,000-yard veteran? Can he handle the speed, complexity, and intensity of the NFL?