AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Miami Dolphins hit the gridiron for their first preseason game Sunday in Chicago, and Quinn Ewers should get plenty of playing time against the Bears being the team’s No. 3 quarterback.
But, could he supplant Zach Wilson and be the backup before the season starts? Head coach Mike McDaniel left it open-ended with his comments after the team’s practice July 30.
“Zach (Wilson) is doing a great job. Zach is the backup quarterback and it’s up to players to adjust that,” he said. “There’s no such thing as non-competition, and I think Quinn is the type of person that is every day trying to make that a real competition. Right now, it’s not like that in my mind, but I’m very candid about being open to anything that the players tell me with actions, not words.”
McDaniel has been impressed with Ewers so far, saying he “has to stack days as the quarterback,” meaning make incremental improvements consistently over the course of training camp and into the season. Ewers is managing the playbook well, McDaniel said, working through about a nine-day install process where new plays are being added each day.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell spoke with reporters Monday and said he’s excited about the progress Ewers has made in training camp.
“Every day he comes out and gets a little bit better,” Bevell said. “He’s putting a lot of good stuff on tape, doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, and when he makes a mistake, we’re able to get it corrected. He’s willing to work on the little details we’re asking him to, and we’re happy with where he’s at.”
Being a rookie, it goes without saying that Ewers has a long way to go to be ready for an actual NFL game, but Bevell said he has the tools to keep developing.
“I like his demeanor. He’s very calm and cool and has a little swag about him,” Bevell said. “He doesn’t get rattled, and that’s a really good starting point for a quarterback. He sees things really well and can anticipate things well.”
Throughout his college career with the Longhorns, Ewers’ arm strength was always questioned. Bevell, a 25-year NFL coaching veteran, said it’s just fine.
“He’s not Brett Favre or Matt Stafford, in that category, but he has plenty for what we need,” he said.
Ewers said he’s become more confident as training camp rolls along, and his approach has been one of open-mindedness and being thankful for the opportunity.
“I’m still learning, and trying to play my game at the end of the day and have fun doing it,” he said. “I feel like I’m playing faster every day and I have a good grasp of what has been installed so far.”