Before I posted my grades this week; the Miami Dolphins announced Quin Ewers as the starter. They said Tua is in “concussion protocol.” I don’t recall a hit on Monday that would lead me to believe he needed to be checked out. Then again I’m not a doctor and didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn last night. This has led people to speculate his time in a Dolphins uniform is over. To those I say “not so fast.” I have given my reasons why I believe he and Coach McDaniel will both be back next season. The financial ramifications of cutting ties with Tua are too grave. I broke it down after week six with a graph and everything. See it here. 100 million dollars says Tua will be on the roster in 2026. The likelihood of firing and hiring a new coach with Tua at the helm also is minimal. If they cut Tua and take the hit; McDaniel is gone as well. Save Sean McVay declaring he wants to coach the Dolphins. What other coach is worth fielding a team on a shoestring budget? A rookie head coach can’t sacrifice a season. It must be an established entity, à la Sean Peyton in Denver. Miami is in a difficult position in which they chose to put themselves. Fans should not give them any sympathy. I advocated for taking the “Cousins” approach; unfortunately, they did not.
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Coaching: (F); Coach had done a great job limiting Tua during the win streak. The Dolphins started out great on the ground. Moving the ball on their second possession almost entirely via Achane. Then as they approached the red zone; Coach called a deep out to Waddle. Tua preceded to under throw the ball into the waiting hands of Asante Samuel Jr. Halting the drive, killing momentum, and crushing the team’s morale. It certainly was a head scratching call. Miami opened the game with a twenty yard gain passing the ball; but it was a designed screen. Taking a shot downfield when Pittsburgh had yet to prove they could stop the run was a coaching mistake. McDaniel can put blame on Tua; but he made the call. The defense as they have the last several games fought hard in the first half. The second half of Monday Night Football was enough to justify firing the entire lot. People talk about the quarterbacks since Marino; but more egregious have been the coaches since Shula.
If McDaniel survives the off-season; he’ll be the longest tenured coach since Wannstedt. I had high hopes for Jimmy; but he just wanted to retire in South Beach.
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Running Backs: (B); Achane finished the game with only sixty yards, but a five yards per rush average. When the team falls in a 28-3 hole; the run game gets left behind. He also led the team in receiving yards. The rest of the group saw minimal action with Wright and Gordon combining for only three rushing attempts.
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Receivers: (C+); The receiving core is dependent on the QB to deliver the ball. Knowing this; I grade them on a Tua curve. Waller led all receivers with seven catches, Achane added six. After that Dulcich, Waddle, and J.Hill each had two. Losing Tyreek certainly put them in a tough spot; but this group is capable of more. Not sure Ewers will be the answer for Miami.
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Defense: (D); They fought hard in the first half; but gave it away in the second. They got to Rodgers three times with Sieler, Brooks, and Biggers all recording a sack. Miami’s defense forced zero turnovers. I mentioned in a previous article how the team’s fate was directly tied to turnovers. Without them, Miami can’t seem to win. Giving up twenty one points in the second half brings this grade down. The first half kept out of “F” territory.
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Special Teams: (C-); Patterson made his lone field goal. A 54 yard try in the cold. It was an impressive kick that never should have been tried. It gave Miami their only lead of the game. It was my opinion McDaniel should have elected to go for it on fourth down. Between the cold air and distance; gaining four yards would have been easier. Bailey had one touch back, but the punt was near perfect. Landing just a couple yards shy of the end zone. Miami’s coverage was there, but whiffed when trying to prevent the touch back. He punted four times with a 49 yard average. On the defensive side; they gave up a 30 yard return to Warren bringing this score below a “B.”
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Quarterback(s): (F); The benching is deserved. Had Miami invested in a proven back up QB, it should have come sooner. McDaniel has spent more than a month limiting Tua. Tua has responded by coming up short when called upon. The early interception killed the team’s mojo. His stats don’t look awful. 79% completion, 253 yards, and 2 touch downs. Yet, it is his inability to see a defense that baffles. He instinctively goes for the short check down. Without surveying the field and seeing the open receivers down field. I’m not convinced Tua even understands what the play design is meant to achieve. He fires the ball to the first teammate he sees, not letting a play develop. McDaniel flares out a running back as a decoy, but that is where Tua throws it. I do not feel for Coach. He put his eggs in Tua’s basket. It is on him.
Due to the salary and cap situation, I won’t be shocked to see Tua back. I will be disappointed.
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Officials: (C); Nothing that jumped out. They did their job and remained mostly invisible.
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Overall: (F); The season ended with a whimper. Miami has three games to evaluate Ewers. Whom they drafted number 231 in the 7th round. Is he Miami’s Purdy? The reality is they are auditioning him for next season. He, unless he surprises everyone, will be a bridge QB till they can cut Tua and find their franchise QB. The elusive gem for which they have searched more than 25 years. I was born in the late 70’s just after the Dolphins’ heyday. I long for a run like New England had, but would settle for just one magical season. Dolphins fans born after 2001 haven’t even seen a playoff win. The hopes for 2026 are not high. What can be done to bring respect back to South Beach? Would Dan Campbell be willing to leave Detroit? Ross has to get the GM figured out. Need someone willing to take a risk. Even a hit (cutting Tua), to bring the success for which Fins fans long. Good luck Quin.
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