Omar Kelly: Dolphins hopeful young QBs take major step forward in development

Omar Kelly, Miami Herald on Aug 12, 2025

Published in Football

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MIAMI — It might have just been a preseason game, but for inexperienced football players who are just beginning their NFL journey, these moments, games, reps are pivotal, no matter if they result in success or failure on the field.

That’s how Quinn Ewers took his NFL debut in Miami’s 24-24 tie against the Chicago Bears.

The biggest lesson the Miami Dolphins’ third-string quarterback took from Sunday’s game was that this isn’t the SEC or the Big Ten anymore.

“It’s quicker than college,” said Ewers, who completed 5 of 18 passes, throwing for 91 yards against the Bears. “The pass rush gets on you quick.”

Ewers was sacked twice and fumbled the ball both times, losing possession. The first fumble set up a three play, 3-yard drive for the Bears that put Chicago ahead 17-14 at the end of the third quarter.

The second turned possession over on Chicago’s 45-yard line in the game’s final 31 seconds with the score tied. It could have been a game-sealer, but Miami’s defense got a turnover on possession after four plays, preserving the tie score.

In preseason there is no overtime.

“That’s just how it goes,” Ewers said. “ Even wideouts and running backs are moving faster. It’s definitely a faster tempo of game. I’m so thankful for the opportunity I got.”

Unfortunately for Ewers, the Dolphins’ 2025 seventh-round draft pick, his performance Sunday hints he might not be ready to challenge Zach Wilson for the role as Tua Tagovailoa’s top backup.

Problem is, Wilson didn’t exactly shine either.

Even though Wilson finished the preseason opener with the best passer rating (92.8) for the Dolphins after completing 5 of 9 passes and throwing for 96 yards, the fifth-year veteran did get sacked four times.

He also missed on two wide open throws that could have produced 14 points for the Dolphins because he failed to set his feet before releasing the ball, which is a common occurrence with the former New Yorks Jets starter, who was the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

“I just short-armed it. I got to get the ball to those guys,” Wilson said, referring to a pass he didn’t throw to an open Pharaoh Brown that would have produced a second-half score, and another pass he one-hopped to an open Tanner Conner. “They were both easy ones.”

When asked about the lackluster offensive line both of Tagovailoa’s backups were working behind, Wilson was wise enough to defend Miami’s second- and third-team linemen, who have been abysmal most of camp, saying “they are fighting.”

Wilson’s Jets failure clearly taught him that good quarterbacks take all the blame, even if it isn’t their fault.

“As much as I can help them to not get sacks, it’s important,” Wilson said. “I was trying to go through some of my reads and felt like I was getting to the end of my progressions there. That’s not on those guys. They were holding up for enough there. I have to find [out] if I can get the ball in someone’s hands quicker.”

According to Tagovailoa, progress was made for both quarterbacks since grasping Miami’s complicated offense, and getting comfortable with the protection and weaponry doesn’t happen overnight. Miami’s struggles last season without Tagovailoa proved this.

“They’re both still learning the offense, still getting a good gauge and feel on how Mike [McDaniel] calls plays. Also getting a good feel and gauge with the guys on timing, their footwork with certain plays, all of that,” Tagovailoa said. “This is their first one. I don’t think anyone should think ‘this was the best, this was the worst.’ This is their first opportunity, especially for Quinn.

“This is a learning lesson for them, and they’ll continue to get better,” Tagovailoa added. “ [I’m] looking forward to what they do next time.”

Coach McDaniel, who doubles as the offense’s playcaller, pointed out he needed to see the film to identify where Wilson’s eyes were, and “if there were completions to be had” on various plays.

Unfortunately, that has been the story of Wilson’s training camp with Miami, if not his NFL career. He has a cannon for an arm, but when his feet aren’t properly set he’s spraying passes and one-hopping throws to his intended target.

That’s a fundamental issue Miami’s coaches need to help Wilson iron out.

“There were ebbs and flows, stuff that we really wanted to get on tape so that we can coach,” McDaniel said. “We have two joint practices this week [against the Detroit Lions] and a game, so we have a lot of football to get better from.”