After their lopsided Week 7 loss, the Dolphins were once again the focus of speculation about major changes taking place. For now, though, the status quo remains. 
No changes on the coaching staff or in the front office are currently expected, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Head coach Mike McDaniel‘s job security has been a talking point all season, but on multiple occasions he has been viewed as being safe from a firing. The same holds true for general manager Chris Grier despite Miami’s 1-6 record and continued regression dating back to last season.
As improvement is sought out throughout the organization, changes on the depth chart will be something to watch for. McDaniel said yesterday that “everything is on the table” in that regard, which led to questions about even a move as noteworthy as benching Tua Tagovailoa taking place. At least for now, that will not be the case. McDaniel later confirmed Tagovailoa will remain atop the depth chart.
That comes as little surprise given the Dolphins’ investment in this case. Tagovailoa is under contract through 2028, and he is already owed $54MM in guarantees for next year. The 27-year-old’s best seasons have come under McDaniel, but even without any injury concerns he has not been able to consistently perform at a high level in 2025. Tagovailoa has thrown at least one interception in five of his seven games this year, and limiting turnovers will be key if the Dolphins are to rebound in the second half of the campaign.
McDaniel added (via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques) he and Tagovailoa engaged in “direct communication” about Sunday’s loss to the Browns yesterday while breaking down film together. He added that is a process which has already been repeated on multiple occasions in 2025. Needless to say, things have not gone according to plan in terms of performance at the quarterback spot this season, leading to speculation about a potential change in the depth chart.
As for the backup gig, seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers saw time late in Week 7 after he overtook Zach Wilson for the QB2 role days earlier. McDaniel said (via Louis-Jacques) an open competition will take place this week for the backup spot, adding he hopes that will not become a regular occurrence. Wilson was traded by the Jets to the Broncos last spring; after not seeing any playing time in Denver, the former No. 2 pick returned to the AFC East in free agency by signing with Miami.
Neither Ewers nor Wilson will be expected to play in Week 8 barring any injuries on Tagovailoa’s part. In any case, the quarterback position will be one to watch closely as McDaniel and Co. continue their efforts to avoid a continuation of the Dolphins’ unwanted start to the campaign.