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Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson shared a message following the season
The 2025 Miami Dolphins’ season officially came to an end with a 38-10 loss to the New England Patriots. During the game, rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers went 16-for-23 with 137 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He started off strong and pulled the Dolphins within seven points in the second half, but threw a costly interception as the team was deep in New England territory.
Following the game, former head coach Mike McDaniel was asked about the possibility of Ewers remaining the team’s starter in the 2026 season. He responded, saying, “I wouldn’t close the door on that.” However, the Dolphins dismissed McDaniel days later, which leaves the quarterback position as one of the team’s biggest question marks heading into the 2026 season.
Dolphins Quarterback Sends Message
After the Dolphins benched Tua Tagovailoa following the team’s disappointing loss against the Steelers on Monday Night Football, many expected former first-round pick Zach Wilson to step into the starting quarterback role. However, Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins opted to go with rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers.
At the time McDaniel cited the reason as Ewers giving the Dolphins the best chance to win. Wilson disagreed with the decision and said he was confused as to why McDaniel went with Ewers, despite receiving an explanation. Speaking on his year with the Dolphins, Wilson said, “It’s definitely been eventful, right? Guys have been great, and I appreciate the organization bringing me here.” He also noted that it had been a tough season as the team failed to meet expectations.
Now, with the season officially over for the Dolphins, Wilson took to social media where he posted the message, “Year 5. Grateful for the journey, the friendships, and the memories with the Miami Dolphins.”
Dolphins Future at Quarterback
After signing a one-year, $6 million deal with the Dolphins prior to the season, Zach Wilson is now set to be a free agent. It does not seem likely that he will return to the organization, as McDaniel had been the one who pushed for him to be brought in by the team. In four brief appearances, Wilson went 6-for-11 with 32 passing yards. He has not started a game since the 2023 season with the Jets.
New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will have to make the decision on whether former starter Tua Tagovailoa will return to his previous role. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport had previously reported that the Dolphins were planning to move Tagovailoa, but that was before McDaniel’s firing and Sullivan’s hiring. Tagovailoa is set to carry a $56 million cap hit in 2026, and his release would result in $99 million in dead money for the Dolphins.
Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers will likely be in the fold as he’s still got three years remaining on his rookie contract. Regarding the quarterback position, Sullivan had previously said, “You always have to be assessing your quarterback situation, making sure that you have a quarterback that you can win with.”
Jose Esquer Jose Esquer is a Mexican-American sportswriter and communications student based in San Diego, CA. His work spans football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has written for platforms like RotoWire and DolphinsTalk. You can find him on Twitter/X @JEsquer8, usually talking Dolphins, world football, or both. More about Jose Esquer
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