The Miami Dolphins want competition in the quarterback room, but that went out the window the second they signed Malik Willis. That leaves Quinn Ewers looking up from the depth chart after starting three games last season.
The Dolphins are not expected to be done adding players, either. That means another QB will land on the roster this year, presumably in this month's draft.
While meeting with the media at the owners' meetings this week, Jeff Hafley was asked if he had anything he wanted to say to Ewers.
Jeff Hafley's message to Quinn Ewers:
— The List - Dolphins Podcast (@TheListFinsPod) March 31, 2026
"Do everything in your power to show us that you are the best player at your position.
I like Quinn, he was one of the first guys that reached out to me when I got the job. Quinn did a really good job at the end of the year."#PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/51eYXG3lkh
Jeff Hafley expects Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers to step up
Ewers played well to end the 2025 season, but he also showed that he has a way to go before he can be the guy for an NFL team. With Willis on board, his role will be as a backup. That's not a huge issue, but his future will still be on the line.
If the Dolphins draft a quarterback this month, Ewers is going to have serious competition for his job. What makes it worse is that the Dolphins could be looking at a top-five pick in next year's draft, and that could end up being a quarterback as well. There are a lot of "if's" being thrown around, but it's easy to say that a QB drafted this year, and another potential high-pick next year could leave Ewers as the odd man out.
Hafley can say that Ewers has a chance to start, but it would take one heck of a camp to unseat Willis, whom the Dolphins are extremely high on.
If we are being honest, Ewers should have started more than just the final three games. He wouldn't have changed the narrative of the season's outcome, but there would be more tape on his progression.
No player drafted before this year is safe. Austin Jackson has been put on notice, as has Jonah Saviinaea. There are not many former Chris Grier selections who should feel safe; in fact, only De'Von Achane could make it through the next two seasons.
The Dolphins' draft history over the last ten years has been atrocious, and that is being nice. Consider that between 2018 and 2023, the Dolphins have made 40 selections. Only three of them are still on the roster. Jackson in 2020, Cameron Goode in 2022, and Achane in 2023. Those numbers are some of the worst in the league.
It will be interesting to see how many players will still be on the roster from the last two drafts. Miami has made 15 selections, and one of them, Mohammed Kamara (5th round), has already moved on. Being a 7th-round draft pick, like Ewers was, isn't something that is going to give Hafley or Sullivan reason to keep you.
Hafley said he has to show that he can be the best at his position. That may not be to start, that might just be to make the roster.