The Miami Dolphins entered into reset mode, soon after they cut ties with their head coach and general manager. The move indicated a fresh start and a long look at the most important spot on the roster. Quarterback now sits at the center of every decision.

Miami moved fast to fill its front office opening. The Dolphins hired former Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan as their new general manager. The move signals a focus on patience and long-term planning.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer explained why Sullivan impressed the team. He noted, “The young executive was the first Packers scout on Jordan Love and became Love’s biggest advocate as the 2020 draft drew closer.” 

Miami liked that forward-thinking approach, he added.

“The Dolphins liked that part of it. But as much as the evaluation, they liked Sullivan’s vision and conviction, and the Packers’ resolve, in making a call for the long term, that wouldn’t help in the short term, and could (and did) rankle Aaron Rodgers.”

 

That same thinking now affects Miami’s quarterback plans. The Dolphins benched Tua Tagovailoa late in the season, raising doubts about his future with the team. The question now is whether Miami sticks with him in 2026. Rookie Quinn Ewers also enters the picture after starting the final three games of the season.

ESPN analyst Ben Solak offered a risky idea to solve Miami’s quarterback puzzle. He predicted a trade with Philadelphia. Solak said, “The Eagles will deal QB2 Tanner McKee to the Dolphins in exchange for a middle-round pick.”

The Eagles drafted McKee in the sixth round in 2024. He backed up Jalen Hurts for two seasons. Hurts led Philadelphia to a Super Bowl win in 2025, yet some fans still pushed for McKee. The buzz followed his limited action.McKee started one game as a rookie. He completed 27 of 41 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. His lone start in 2025 looked rougher. He finished 21 of 40 for 241 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Miami may like the contract more than the stats. McKee plays on a sixth-round rookie deal for two more seasons. The Dolphins face tight cap space. A low-cost quarterback could open options across the roster.

The Dolphins also lack a head coach right now. That reality slows every major call. Before his dismissal, Mike McDaniel said the team planned to add another quarterback to create competition. He also left the door open for Ewers to start in 2026.

Sullivan summed up the approach best.“You always have to be assessing your quarterback situation,” he said.“Making sure that you have a quarterback that you can win with.”

Miami now searches for that answer.