The Miami Dolphins‘ day has gone from bad to worse. Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was benched in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers late in the fourth quarter due to a day of three interceptions. Following the loss, head coach Mike McDaniel didn’t hold back when discussing why he benched Tagovailoa.
By the time Tagovailoa was benched, the damage was already done. The Browns had a commanding 31-6 lead, and the Dolphins were simply failing at all three phases of the game.
Tagovailoa now has six interceptions in the last two games and 10 interceptions on the season. Whatever is going on with his play was clearly enough for McDaniel to send him to the bench.
Tagovailoa spoke to reporters after the game, saying it was “Head bosses' decision. He made that decision,” to send in Ewers. McDaniel also commented on the situation, not holding back on the brutal reason on why he benched his starting quarterback.
McDaniel spoke about the penalties and turnovers that led to the Dolphins not being able to “beat their opponent” as they were already “beating” themselves. He also offered a sobering comment on Tagovailoa being benched.
“If you are negatively affecting the football team routinely, then I have no choice but to assess a new player. I also have to coach better,” McDaniel said.
The tough-love comment could have been a generalization, but it was apparent he was speaking more to the three-interception day from Tagovailoa. McDaniel was then asked what the conversation would be with his quarterback following the loss.
“It’ll be tape-driven. I’ll take a look at the tape. Before watching the tape, I don’t want to overconclude anything. But you turn the ball over, that is the number one indicator of wins and losses, and it negatively affects the team. I think there are multiple factors in those turnovers, but I know at least one to two of them were extremely preventable from Tua, and he knows that. It just wasn’t good enough,” McDaniel said.
The Dolphins are now 1-6 and are facing a reality where they cannot make the playoffs without going on a completely undefeated run. That will be impossible with the way the team has performed through seven games thus far.
Tagovailoa’s play is a major component of that, and he also offered a stark reality of the way that he has performed in 2025.
"Definitely not happy, not proud of where I'm at with my play, with how I've gone about things this year. I know I've gotta be a lot better - and I've been better for the Miami Dolphins in years past. But this isn't years past, this is this year,” Tagovailoa said.
It has been well documented that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has become frustrated with the team’s performance, and this was before they were dominated by a fellow 1-5 team.
Now, all eyes will be on the organization and what it chooses to do in terms of blowing up the roster, coaching staff, and front office, or letting the Dolphins ride it out and attempt to rebound.
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