Mike McDaniel to Meet with Tua About Dolphins' Future, Undecided on 2026 QB1

There remains plenty of uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position for the Miami Dolphins heading into the offseason, and head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Monday he plans on meeting with Tua Tagovailoa to discuss a competition for the 2026 starting job.

He said the purpose of the meeting is "to remove emotions," adding that "to have a conversation will be very healthy."

McDaniel also didn't rule out an incumbent quarterback being involved in the competition after Tagovailoa and Quinn Ewers saw the field in 2025:

It will be an important offseason for the Dolphins, as they also need to hire a new general manager.

For his part, McDaniel told reporters he will be involved in the general manager process even though the final call will be team owner Stephen Ross' decision. He also addressed his own job status and said, "my understanding is I'm the head coach of the Miami Dolphins until told otherwise."

Miami started 1-6 but won five of its next six games before finishing with a 7-10 record. While it was far from the season the team was looking for, it did play better down the stretch and may have saved the head coach's job in the process.

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Ultimately, though, the Dolphins will need better quarterback play if they are going to compete in the AFC next season.

Tagovailoa went 6-8 as a starter and was 32nd in the league in QBR, per Pro Football Reference. It was a far cry from when he was a Pro Bowler and led the league with 4,624 passing yards in 2023.

While there are always durability concerns around Tagovailoa, he isn't that far removed from such an impressive season. Perhaps he and McDaniel will find some common ground during their meeting and come up with a plan that could help him remain as the starter in 2026.

As for Ewers, he was rather pedestrian in three games with a 1-2 record to go with three touchdown passes to three interceptions. It should be noted he was a seventh-round pick playing in his rookie season, so there weren't many expectations that he would establish himself as the surefire franchise quarterback.

Still, Miami is in a division with Drake Maye (New England Patriots) and Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) as franchise cornerstones under center who will remain obstacles in the AFC East for years to come.

If it can't find its own star quarterback to build around in the coming seasons, there might not be many playoff appearances on the immediate horizon.