Tua Tagovailoa Reacts to Dolphins Benching for Quinn Ewers, 'Out of My Control'

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa isn't happy with the team's decision to bench him in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers.

"Disappointed," Tagovailoa told reporters Wednesday. "I'm not happy about it, but something out of my control."

He added when asked why he thinks he's being benched: "The biggest thing, and it's being honest with myself as well, has been my performance. I haven't been performing up to the level or the capabilities that I have in the past."

NFL insider Josina Anderson initially reported that Tagovailoa handled the news "like a pro" after learning that he was being replaced by Ewers as Miami's starting quarterback.

The Dolphins fell to 6-8 and were eliminated from playoff contention following their 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. Tagovailoa was ineffective for most of the game, throwing his league-leading 15th interception while also sustaining four sacks. His two touchdown passes came in the fourth quarter when the game was already well out of reach.

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On Tuesday, Miami head coach Mike McDaniel admitted that "the quarterback play last night was not good enough" and indicated that he was contemplating benching his longtime starter. It didn't take long for him to officially turn to Ewers, who has appeared in one game so far this season while spending most of the year as the team's emergency QB.

While Tagovailoa seems to be handling the situation well, Wednesday's benching raises questions about his future with the Dolphins. He signed a four-year, $212.1 million extension in 2024 and is already guaranteed $54 million in 2026. On March 3, $3 million of his 2027 salary becomes guaranteed. Per ESPN, releasing him next year would result in a $99 million dead cap charge, though that number could be split to $67.4 million in 2026 and $31.8 million in 2027 if he's a post-June 1 cut.

For now, it seems that Tagovailoa will simply have to watch from the sidelines while Ewers prepares to make his first career NFL start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals (4-10).