Miami Dolphins Quinn Ewers Has Dreadful NFL Preseason Debut
The Miami Dolphins had high hopes when they selected quarterback Quinn Ewers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Once touted as the nation’s top high school quarterback, Ewers arrived in Miami with potential that outweighed his draft slot—but his preseason debut against the Chicago Bears on August 10 serves as a stark reminder of the gap between potential and professional readiness.
The rookie’s outing was marked by inconsistency, two costly turnovers, and an inability to handle defensive pressure. For Ewers, this performance not only raises questions about his role within the team but also about whether he’ll survive the grueling reality of the NFL roster bubble.
Miami Dolphins Quinn Ewers: A Tough Day at the Office
The Numbers Tell the Story
Ewers’ official stat line from his debut is, to put it mildly, less than inspiring. He completed just 5 of 18 passes for 91 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. Add in two sacks and two lost fumbles, and the outing stands as a jarring introduction to the NFL.
The struggles began immediately. Ewers went 0-for-4 in his first two series, visibly uncomfortable in the pocket as he tried to adjust to the speed of the Bears’ defense. Things didn’t improve much from there. Though he completed a few passes—including a 21-yard strike to running back Alexander Mattison that set up a Miami Dolphins touchdown—his overall performance was marred by missed reads, errant throws, and shaky pocket management.
Pressure? Meet Quinn’s Kryptonite
One of the most glaring issues was Quinn Ewers’ inability to handle pressure. The Bears’ pass rush had their way with Miami’s offensive line, and Ewers bore the brunt of the chaos. On both of his fumbles, Ewers hesitated in a collapsing pocket, giving defenders the extra moment they needed to make a play.
His footwork often broke down under duress, leading to inaccurate passes that missed their targets by wide margins. To successfully develop as a pro quarterback, handling pressure is non-negotiable, and right now, Ewers is far from meeting the mark.
Key Moments That Defined the Day
Despite his uninspiring overall performance, Ewers did have a few bright spots worth acknowledging. Early in the third quarter, after starting 0-for-5, he delivered a well-placed pass to Mattison for 21 yards. He followed that up with an 18-yard completion to wide receiver AJ Henning, helping Miami set up a field goal to tie the game.
On a critical fourth-and-5 play later in the game, Ewers again showed flashes of his raw talent, firing a 19-yard completion to Mattison to move the chains. These moments provided a glimpse of the physical tools that made him such a coveted recruit out of high school—but they were too few and far between to overshadow an otherwise difficult day.
What This Means for Ewers’ Future
Competition at the Backup Spot
The preseason is a proving ground for players like Quinn Ewers, who are fighting for their spot on the roster. Unfortunately for the young quarterback, his debut did little to close the gap between him and Miami’s primary backup, Zach Wilson.
Wilson wasn’t spectacular either, completing 5 of 9 passes for 96 yards, but his overall consistency and ability to avoid turnovers made his case significantly stronger than Ewers’. At this point, it’s clear that Ewers isn’t in serious contention for the QB2 job. The more pressing question is whether he’ll hold onto a spot on the 53-man roster at all.
Roster Bubble or Practice Squad?
The Miami Dolphins invested a seventh-round pick in Ewers based on his raw potential, and it’s unlikely they’ll move on after just one shaky preseason outing. Still, his path forward is far from guaranteed. If Ewers doesn’t show marked improvement in the remaining preseason games, Miami’s front office could opt to stash him on the practice squad or pursue other developmental options.
What complicates matters further is the reality of limited opportunities. Late-round quarterbacks rarely get the leeway to endure long-term growing pains. For Ewers, every drop-back for the rest of the preseason will function as an audition—not just for Miami, but potentially for the rest of the league.
The Road Ahead
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has cultivated a reputation for quarterback-friendly systems, but Ewers’ struggles suggest there’s only so much system design can do. The rookie’s immediate focus needs to be on improving his fundamentals, particularly his decision-making under pressure and his pocket presence.
While his debut against the Bears was, by all accounts, a wake-up call, it’s far from the end of the line. Ewers still possesses traits worth developing, including solid arm strength and a knack for making impressive throws on the run. Whether or not he can translate those positives into sustained success will depend largely on his ability to learn from his miscues and rebound quickly.
Final Thoughts
Quinn Ewers’ first NFL preseason game will not go down as a memorable debut, but it’s an opportunity to identify and address the flaws in his game. The jump from a storied Texas career to NFL stardom is steep, and Ewers has plenty of climbing left to do.
For the Dolphins, Ewers represents both a project and a question mark. His future is far from decided, but one thing is certain—he’ll need to make the most of his next opportunities to avoid becoming just another late-round casualty in the hypercompetitive world of professional football.
The clock is ticking, and all eyes will be on No. 14 as the preseason rolls on.
