When Quinn Ewers slipped on a Miami Dolphins jersey for the first time, the seventh-round rookie quarterback left the disappointment of draft weekend behind and focused on the opportunity ahead. “I didn’t expect to fall as low as I did, but it is what it is at the end of the day, and I have the same opportunity as everybody else does, and I’m beyond thankful for that,” Ewers said as the Dolphins opened rookie minicamp.

Ewers, selected 231st overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, enters a quarterback room led by Tua Tagovailoa and recent free agent signing Zach Wilson. Despite being the last of 13 quarterbacks drafted, the former Texas Longhorns star is determined to prove himself at the professional level. “I just want to go in there and play my game at the end of the day and learn and develop as a quarterback,” Ewers said.

Advertisement

The transition to the NFL marks a new chapter for Ewers, who finished his college career with 3,472 passing yards and 31 touchdowns in his final season at Texas, leading the Longhorns to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances and an SEC Championship game. Ewers’ collegiate success placed him among the top quarterbacks in Texas history, but questions about consistency and injuries may have contributed to his draft slide.

Off the field, Ewers is already making headlines. Just a month into his Dolphins tenure, he secured a $3 million exclusive autograph trading card deal with Panini, a figure nearly matching his four-year, $4.3 million rookie contract with Miami. “Thank you [Panini] for helping me tell my story and continuing our relationship! I can’t wait to see my first NFL trading cards!” Ewers posted on social media.

The endorsement helps offset speculation about the NIL money he left behind by declaring for the draft rather than transferring for a final college season. Ewers also had a prior NIL deal with Panini.

Advertisement

As Ewers dons the Dolphins’ aqua and orange, he faces the challenge of climbing the depth chart and earning the trust of teammates and coaches. For now, the rookie is focused on learning, developing, and making the most of his opportunity in Miami. “There’s a lot of guys out there right now, and everyone’s fighting for the same job,” Ewers said. “But you’ve got to earn the job and earn the trust of those guys as well.”

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: SEE: Quinn Ewers wearing his teal Miami Dolphin uniform