In a recent episode of the Dolphins Collective on YouTube, the discussion centered on OTA performance, noting that QB Malik Willis has lived up to expectations while QB Quinn Ewers has exceeded them. Notably, two of the hosts—Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald and Alain Poupart of Sports Illustrated—who attended all six media-accessible OTA sessions, observed that Ewers performed as well as, if not better than, Willis in one or two sessions, though Willis held the edge in others, with multiple practices
resulting in a draw.
I then asked the following question:
Given the current dynamics of the team, do you think Quinn Ewers has a realistic path to becoming the starting quarterback over Malik Willis, whether through a competitive training camp performance or if an opportunity arises due to a mid-season injury?
Below are some of your thougths and answers-
StanleyDoyle1 believes that the pressure to prove their first big signing was right will have the new regime sticking with Willis until the wheels fall off the season.
Willis was, unfortunately, the first high-profile signing of the new regime. If he fails, that will reflect very poorly on their judgment. So they have an incentive to keep the illusion alive for as long as possible. There will be no real competition for QB.
That being said, by or after the second Jets game, when Miami is officially out of playoff contention and Willis’s ceiling is exposed for what it is likely to be (Tim Tebow II), I think the pressure to see what Ewers can do will be too much. So by Week 13, at Denver, I predict we’ll see Ewers.
Dolfanjoe says no controversy, Willis is the starter!
There is no controversy, Willis will be our starter and Ewers is our backup. Cam might make the practice squad as our emergency QB. This is 26. The main question is will Willis make the whole season under center ? If not i am glad we have Ewers to come in and get more experience. We most likely will have a very early draft pick in 27. Controversy then, we shall see. But certainly nothing to worry or concern ourselves with this year !
Gllmiaspr believes that this is Willis’ job to lose.
The question is whether Ewers has a realistic path to start this year through a) A competitive training camp performance or b) A mid season injury.
I believe that nothing other than injury will prevent Willis from starting the first three or four games. Given the investment in Willis it would be crazy not to give him a chance to start at least four games. What QB does is in practice rarely translates to real game performances and there Willis did a lot better than Ewers last season.
After four games, if Miami is 0-4 and Willis is not playing well what happens in practice could give Ewers a chance.
Not fair to Ewers who in my view should have the chance to start but this decision was made when they decided to make a competitive offer for Willis who was in demand and who also can become a good starting QB.
Very little about this should worry the fans. Having more than one potential starter is not a problem. Most of us already knew that things are not perfectly fair either in the NFL or in life. Hopefully, eventually Ewers would get a chance with either the Dolphins or another team.
Hud believes that if Ewers shows out in camp, he could steal the job from Willis.
Yes I believe Ewers can unseat Willis if he keeps out performing him in OTA and especially in preseason
Phinsfan72 says Ewers might have a chance to start somewhere after midseason.
“Competition at every position”, and “we will put out the best players to give us a chance to win each week” is what they said. We’ll see.
I don’t hate on Willis, or love on Ewers, but my biggest rule is I want no part of any QB under 6’3″, and about 225 lbs, but preferably up around 230 or more if they have the frame to carry it.
Anybody under that better be able to run and produce out of the box because that’s what they’re gonna have to do to avoid batted down passes, interceptions, attack the middle of the field consistently, and avoid getting rag dolled on the regular. And even then they’re gonna get beat up running for their lives. That’s why I didn’t like Tua from the start, and don’t see Willis as a franchise QB I’d pick.
I also agree Ewers showed steady growth, obviously put in time during the off-season, and is handling the situation like a pro should. It was pretty telling that while Tua looked like a deer in the headlights all season till he was benched Ewers came in and didn’t look out of his depth. He was making progressions, reading coverage, and making good decisions, and of course rookie mistakes, but not as many as you’d expect from a 7th rounder. He looked better than Dylan Gabriel for sure. I know, that isn’t saying much.
I think Ewers deserves a chance to start, but it isn’t gonna happen till at least the 1/2 way point if the decision is solely based on Willis’ play. I really hope for Willis’ sake, and the teams that it doesn’t happen based on an injury, but as a Phins fan the injury bug is always in the back of my mind.
MiamiItaliano says Ewers only has a shot if Willis makes a mess of things.
If Willis stinks up the joint to start the season, the path becomes very realistic for Ewers. I don’t think it will happen though.
Lefty5150 believes this is just Omar and Alain trying to start s**t so they have something to talk about.
Omar and Alain have nothing else to talk about so this stirs the pot. I like Ewers but when the heat is on Malik will make plays whereas Ewers will take a sack.
MIAMI235 says it might be Willis, Ewers, or someone off the trash pile waiver wire trying to win games for this team.
Some of the Season, is going to depend on QB play.
Willis , Ewers and possibly a person grabbed off waivers, etc …….will try to guide the Team to wins. I think the fever that we won by signing Willis has waned, but we shall see.
NeenerWhacker says he likes Ewers, but slow your roll.
I like Ewers – but let’s not jump to conclusions here. These are OTAs we’re talking about – no hitting, no pads, very little rushing. He had prior experience with Slowik, and should have outperformed Willis in a brand new system.
Xkar25 says that, given the deal given to Ewers, the new front office will want him to start to show that they know what they are doing.
Given the contract Ewers will have to be a clear upgrade and it might still be hard for a new GM to admit a wiff and him be a week 1 starter barring injury
FuzzNuttz1980 believes that they should have just rolled with Ewers and used the money given to Willis to add more talent around Ewers.
We should have it with Ewers to begin with. We could have used that money we put on Malik Willis in many other positions. I mean who the hell gives a backup quarterback that much money to come in and start. We could have just kept on riding with iQuinn and signed some talent to put around him. I keep seeing all these negative comments about the team this year and I don’t think we’re going to be that bad. We will at least finish 500 if not better. Will we win the super Bowl no. Will we win the division most likely not. Will we make the playoffs probably not. Will we compete absolutely. Will we do better than what everyone is predicting I guarantee it
Pod of Dolphins, I think, is saying that it’s all up in the air…
Willis, Ewers and the number one pick in 27 adition
cyberflea wants Willis haters to shut up until we see him play.
All you Willis’s haters should wait until the season plays out before judging. Just tiresome negative banter. I’m optimistic and hope he plays well and shuts you haters negative mouths.
Dave21 says move on! This is Willis’ team!
Only way Ewers takes over is from an injury to Willis. Next topic!
Phoenix6 says that Willis will start, as he was the choice of the new regime.
Sully & Haf arrived – brought in Malik with a big contract – notifying Quinn he’s not the QB for the future right off the bat.
Now we have “observers” saying t h e basically were even in the OTAs.
Did Malik suck to the level of Quinn or did Quinn play up to the level of Malik?
So it may be Malik starts “because of” not “plays into” his big contract. It’s possible Quinn starts, but not plausible.
No QB controversy.
Otherwise Sully & Haf look like idiots.
Oldarmyguy says Willis will start unless he is injured.
Unless Willis gets hurt no way loses starting job. Hafley KNOWS Willis. 2yrs in Green Bay behind the scenes etc etc. Willis clearly has more physical ability & will get more familiar with play book which Ewers has step on him.
Well, that’s our list of comments this evening. There seems to be a consensus that this is Willis’ team to lose and that he will start until either the losses stack up or he is injured. As always, thank you to each of you who takes the time to visit our site each evening, answer our question of the day, and otherwise join the conversation.
If you missed the original post/discussion, you can find it HERE.
