How Quinn Ewers played in Miami Dolphins’ second preseason game

After an up-and-down start to the preseason last week, Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers responded well Saturday against the Detroit Lions. He threw for two touchdowns after taking over for Zach Wilson.

Ewers established a strong connection with fellow rookie Theo Wease Jr., who caught both touchdown passes. The former Texas star also completed 11 of 17 passes for 116 yards after coming off the bench to start the second half of the game.

It was quite the turnaround for Ewers after he struggled mightily in his preseason debut last week against the Chicago Bears. In that game – which ended in a rare preseason tie – he went 5-for-18 for 91 yards while taking two sacks.

The Dolphins selected Ewers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft after a standout three seasons at Texas following his transfer from Ohio State. A former top-rated recruit, he led the Longhorns to back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinal appearances before opting to declare for the draft rather than use his final year of eligibility this year.

Tua Tagovailoa: Quinn Ewers ‘balling’ in camp

Quinn Ewers threw for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns during his three seasons running Steve Sarkisian’s scheme at Texas. That includes back-to-back 3,400 yard seasons, including a career-high 3,479 yards in 2023 before injuries cut his year short.

Through the early part of training camp, Ewers received some high praise from Dolphins starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who did not play Saturday. He liked what he saw from the rookie, particularly when it came to how engaged he was in meetings as he learns the offense.

“I think Quinn has been balling,” Tagovailoa said in late July, via Pro Football Talk. “I think he’s been buying into what he’s been told in the quarterback room and then things that he’s taken from the meeting rooms. With Mike’s meetings, ‘Slow’s’ [senior passing game specialist Bobby Slowik] meetings, and ‘Bev’s’ [QBs coach/pass game coordinator Darrell Bevell] meetings, and he’s been able to take that out here on the practice field. He’s been doing really well.”

Tagovailoa is getting ready for another season as Miami’s starting quarterback despite injuries over the last two seasons. The Dolphins also added to their quarterback room this offseason, notably bringing in Wilson on a one-year contract. Then, they brought in Ewers in the NFL Draft to learn under head coach Mike McDaniel.

Miami will now get ready for its preseason finale next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. From there, it’s off to the season opener Sept. 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.