The Miami Dolphins ended their 2024-25 NFL season in disappointment. Months later, the Tua Tagovailoa-led team has kicked off its 2025-26 campaign in a similar fashion. The Indianapolis Colts blew past the Dolphins with a 33-8 score, Daniel Jones leading the way with an impressive stat line.
Tagovailoa, though, struggled to show up for this team. The Dolphins quarterback threw for 114 yards, one TD, and two interceptions. He also took three sacks and lost a fumble. And while Tagovailoa has had his moments as a capable QB1, there was no stopping the criticism sent his way after the season opener.
Cowboys Legend Dez Bryant Asks Dolphins to Replace Tua Tagovailoa After Disappointing Season-Opener
While fans continue to criticize Tagovailoa’s performance, Dallas Cowboys legend Dez Bryant has a unique perspective. Frustrated by the game, Bryant wrote, “You wanna win put Quinn Ewers in!”
Ewers, a seventh-round pick in 2025, is the Dolphins’ last-resort option as the third QB behind Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson. Listed as inactive before the game, Ewers is merely acting as the team’s emergency QB.
You wanna win put Quinn Ewers in!
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 7, 2025
And if he were to play, Tagovailoa and Wilson would have to be out of the game with ‘injury, illness, or ejection’. Fans agreed with Bryant, laughing with him as they also called for Ewers to be brought on the field.
The Dolphins benched Tagovailoa during the game and brought in Wilson as it drew to an end. Of course, the game was already lost, handing the Colts their first Week 1 win since 2013.
Tua got benched. The Dolphins world is calling for QUINN EWERS
👏👏👏
— Michelle Tate (@MichelleTater) September 7, 2025
That being said, fans also called out Tyreek Hill and head coach Mike McDaniel. Most wanted the three gone from their lineup, hoping for a rebuild as the season opened on a disastrous note.
Many called out Tagovailoa for one of the worst stat lines they’ve ever seen, wondering if the team could ever recover from this.
Tagovailoa Breaks Silence After Disastrous Season-Opener vs. Colts
After the game, Tagovailoa spoke to the media about his and the Dolphins’ game against the Colts. The QB was honest about their game, accepting fault and promising to work on the team as they proceed.
🎥 Tua Tagovailoa on today’s loss vs. Indianapolis Colts: “None of the fans pay to watch the Miami Dolphins go put up 8 points and watch the other team drop 30… we need to look in the mirror, we need to continue to hold each other accountable.” (@MiamiDolphins) #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/xtd5nNQZ5S
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) September 7, 2025
“None of the fans pay to watch the Miami Dolphins go put up 8 points and watch the other team drop 30… we need to look in the mirror, we need to continue to hold each other accountable,” Tagovailoa said.
He added that they never want to look at it as just a Week 1 loss, accepting that the self-reflection starts with him as their QB. The Dolphins will face the New England Patriots for their Week 2 clash on September 14, 2025.
