With Tagovailoa on the way out, the Dolphins would enter the 2026 season down to two quarterbacks on the active roster—rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers, who started the final three games of the season when Tagovailoa was benched, and sixth-round rookie Cam Miller, added from the Raiders’ practice squad before the last regular-season game. The quarterback room would be thin, making the pursuit of a proven starter more likely.
Malik Willis has been the most frequently discussed alternative, as he becomes a free agent after two seasons with the Packers, where he backed up Jordan Love and flashed potential in limited action. Yet his price tag could be a hurdle for Miami, potentially pushing the Dolphins toward other options rather than a high-cost bid.
One widely discussed fit for the Dolphins is Kirk Cousins. ESPN analyst Ben Solak named Miami as a plausible destination, contingent on Cousins’ preference to leave Minnesota if the Falcons release him this offseason. A release would remove the need for draft compensation, a critical factor for a team aiming to preserve rookie-contract depth on the roster. Solak also noted that Cousins’ success in a Shanahan-style offense—something new coordinator Bobby Slowik would implement—aligns with Miami’s system.
Cousins has a history against the Dolphins, starting a game in which Miami won 34-10, and he closed the season on a four-game winning streak with seven touchdowns to two interceptions. While the Vikings remain a potential landing spot for competition for first‑round quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Dolphins could become a more attractive, cost-controlled option should Cousins hit the open market.
Ultimately, Miami’s quarterback plan for the 2026 season may hinge on what happens with Tagovailoa, but the team appears prepared to explore multiple avenues. Hafley acknowledged there would be conversations and a plan, though he didn’t disclose specifics. In addition to Willis and Cousins, other veteran names such as Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Marcus Mariota, and Jimmy Garoppolo could surface in free agency, while the draft is viewed as a one-quarterback class with a few developmental options later on.
