The Miami Dolphins lost to the Washington Commanders on Friday in the opening round of the preseason for 2026. The results of the game itself really do no matter in the long run, but rather the play of the individual players and the position groups is the biggest take away from the night. There was some good for the Dolphins, particularly their opening drive when the offense moved down the field and scored a touchdown behind efficient passing, a ground attack that established itself early, and an offensive line that was highly effective,
Things fell apart for Miami when the second-string rotated into the contest. Backup quarterback Quinn Ewers finished the game one-for-eight passing for 27 yards. He threw one interception and finished the game with a 1.6 passer rating. He did sustain a groin injury that he played through, but the dismal performance from a player who started three games down the stretch last year for Miami has a lot of analysts and fans talking.
Does Miami need to move on from Ewers? Should they be looking for a veteran to backup starting quarterback Malik Willis?
The more important question, however, may be:
Does Quinn Ewers’ performance this year matter?
The Dolphins are in the first year of what they are hoping will be a quick rebuild under new head coach Jeff Hafley with Willis at quarterback. Miami has loaded their roster with rookies, bringing them to the youngest team in the league, with a few veterans sprinkled into the roster on one-year contracts. Miami’s 2026 season, while they will be looking to win every game they play, is about the long-term growth of the team, looking to create a franchise that can sustainably compete every year over a team that sells out for winning this season.
Which brings us back to the question. If the Dolphins have to rely on Ewers for any stretch of the season, does his play really matter?
The Dolphins are looking toward Willis as their potential franchise quarterback. If he cannot live up to those expectations, leading to Ewers having to replace him during the season, then Miami has their answer and will be looking to select a quarterback early in the 2027 NFL Draft.
If Willis is injured and misses a significant amount of playing time, then the Dolphins are likely looking to select a quarterback early in the 2027 NFL Draft.
If Willis plays well and the Dolphins feel they have their quarterback of the future, then Ewers likely saw little to no playing time this year.
It all comes down to a fairly simple idea: Ewers’ play this year does not matter. If he is in the game, Miami is probably looking to select a franchise quarterback in the Draft – and losses actually help that cause. Ewers struggling could play into Miami’s longterm vision of the franchise.
Is the addition of someone like Jimmy Garoppolo going to make a massive difference for the Dolphins? This team is built to evaluate Willis. That is what matters in 2026. Finding a veteran quarterback who can stabilize the team for one year may feel better during the season, but it does not help the long-term growth and development of the Dolphins into a consistent winner.
Miami is not looking for mediocrity this year. If they can spark a run deep into the playoffs, they have their answer in Willis. If everything falls apart, they have their answer in Willis. They need to know what they have in the younger players, not try to hold on to a middle-of-the-pack standing. Whether the team is good or bad – the Dolphins have to get the answers they need for 2027.
If Ewers is needed and dominates, Miami has their answer. If Ewers is needed and everything falls apart, Miami has their answer. If Ewers never sees the field and Willis dominates or falls apart, Miami has their answer.
Ultimately, Ewers’ performance this year does not matter for Miami.