The quarterback position for the 2026 Miami Dolphins is much different than the 2025 version of the group. Tua Tagovailoa is now with the Atlanta Falcons, with former Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis now expected to headline the Dolphins’ offense. Last year, Quinn Ewers took over as the starter when Tagovailoa was benched near the end of the year, and now he likely has the second-string position locked down while trying to challenge Willis for the number one spot.
Behind those two, the Dolphins
have first-year passer Cam Miller and rookie undrafted free agent Mark Gronowski looking to force Miami to keep a third passer this year. Could Gronowski force the Dolphins coaches into a tough decision this summer?
Biography
Name: Mark Gronowski
Number: 16
Position: Quarterback
Height / Weight: 6’2” / 226 pounds
Age (at start of season): 24
Experience: Rookie
College: Iowa (transfer from South Dakota State)
Draft: 2026 undrafted
Acquired: 2026 UDFA signing
Contract and 2026 salary cap
Contract: 3-years, $3.1 million
2026 salary cap: $886,666
Contract details via OverTheCap.com.
2025 review
Games played: 13
Passing Yards: 1,741
Touchdowns: 10
Completion percent: 63.4
Interceptions: 7
Rushing attempts: 130
Rushing yards: 545
Rushing touchdowns: 16 (tied 6th in NCAA; 1st in Big Ten)
Gronowski transferred to Iowa after four seasons at South Dakota State, winning two FCS National Championships before he moved to the Big Ten. In his one year at Iowa, Gronowski proved his dual-threat role translates to the top of the NCAA game. He finished with the most rushing touchdowns in the Big Ten, tied for sixth in college football. He was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player for the East-West Shrine Bowl after the season.
Offseason moves
Quarterback signings: Mark Gronowski (UDFA), Malik Willis
Released: Tua Tagovailoa
Drafted: None
2026 expectations
The Dolphins visited with Gronowski in the pre-draft build up and they targeted him as an undrafted free agent as soon as the draft was complete. He was someone they wanted and they made sure to bring him to South Florida. He could prove to be a solid option as a backup, especially in comparing his running ability to that of presumed starter Willis. Gronowski has good mechanics, but will need some development time and coaching at the NFL level, but the Dolphins could give him that time as the third option on the roster. He is going to have to outplay Miller and play well enough to force the Dolphins to keep him on the roster if he wants to hang around all year. Miami could consider a practice squad role for him, but he could be poached sometime during the season as teams look for additional quarterback depth, especially with someone who can run as well as Gronowski can.
Undrafted quarterbacks usually feel like camp arms, but Gronowski feels like he has a shot at being a lot more than that.
