Miami Dolphins Consider Quarterback Change Amid Struggles

The Miami Dolphins are reconsidering their quarterback situation after a disappointing 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, which eliminated them from playoff contention. Coach Mike McDaniel noted that the quarterback play was 'not good enough' and stated, 'everything is on the table' regarding a potential change, according to the Miami Herald.

McDaniel's comments highlight the struggles of Tua Tagovailoa, who has thrown a league-high 16 interceptions this season and has a passer rating that has significantly declined to 88.5, ranking him 23rd in the league.

Despite a strong start to his career under McDaniel, Tagovailoa's performance has regressed, prompting discussions about whether to start backup quarterback Zach Wilson or rookie Quinn Ewers in the upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

McDaniel emphasized the need to evaluate the best option for winning games rather than using the remaining games as a trial for backups. The Dolphins currently have a 6-8 record and rank poorly in several offensive categories, including 23rd in points and 25th in yards, which adds to the urgency for McDaniel to make a decision on the quarterback position.

The team's offensive struggles have been particularly evident, as they failed to score more than 17 points in several games against teams with winning records. The implications of Tagovailoa's potential benching are significant, given his four-year, $212 million contract, which includes a $56.4 million cap hit for next season if he remains on the roster.

This situation continues to evolve, with McDaniel indicating that he would provide more clarity on the quarterback decision in the days leading up to the game against Cincinnati, as noted by Birmingham News and CBS Sports.