MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Dec. 17 (UPI) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is “disappointed” with his latest backup, but he plans to help rookie Quinn Ewers prepare for his first NFL start.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel announced Wednesday that Ewers will start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Dolphins quarterback Tagovailoa was sent to the bench.
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Dolphins backup Zach Wilson will serve as the secondary quarterback. Tagovailoa will be the emergency third option.
“Of course, I would say I’m disappointed,” Tagovailoa said at the Baptist Health Training Center in Miami Gardens, Florida. “I think it’s a normal human emotion. Beyond that, I have to do my part.
“My role here right now is to help the quarterback lead this team and do whatever I can to help win this game on Sunday.”
In his first 14 starts this season, Tagovailoa completed 67.7 percent of his throws for 2,660 yards, 20 scores and an NFL-high 15 interceptions.
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The 2023 Pro Bowl selection leads the NFL in passer rating in 2022, passing yards in 2023 and pass completion percentage in 2024, which is the first year of the $212.4 million extension he signed.
Tagovailoa completed 22 of 28 passes for 253 yards, two scores and an interception in Monday’s 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. He has thrown 11 interceptions in his past nine games.
The veteran quarterback, who joined the Dolphins as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, said his performance this season has not been affected by previous injuries, including hip issues and multiple concussions.
“Honestly, I would say the most important thing is my performance,” Tagovailoa said. “I’m not performing to the level and ability that I used to.”
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He also said he was “not so sure” when asked why he wasn’t playing with as much determination as he had been in past seasons.
When asked Tuesday about a potential change at his starting quarterback, McDaniel said “everything is on the table.” He also said the Dolphins were “not up to par” when asked about the position’s production and “something has to give.”
“I’m always coaching hard and trying to improve, and when things aren’t up to par, I have to change it,” McDaniel said.
Now, the Dolphins will select Ewers, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The former Texas quarterback completed 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards in his only regular season game of the year, a 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 19 in Cleveland.
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“It’s tough from Tua’s point of view,” Ewers said. “I was on the bench in a game last year so I know how he feels. It’s a terrible feeling.
“But this morning, and even within these hours, he helped me a lot.”
The Dolphins (6-8) will face the Bengals (4-10) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday at 1 p.m.