The draft averages this year flipped like a turtle on its back, unable to turn around. And quarterbacks were at the center of this flip. For decades, first-round picks were focused on QBs. But everyone got pushed to the later rounds this year except for Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart (the only two first-round QB picks). A total of 14 QBs were picked this year, but going to the later rounds meant their paychecks were going to take serious hits. Just take a look at QB Quinn Ewers, the last QB to be picked in this year’s draft.

With the NIL deals in play, college players stand to make even more than some veteran NFL players. Quinn Ewers has entered a 4-year rookie contract of around $4.33M with the Miami Dolphins. Instead of choosing to stay after his draft fall, if Quinn Ewers had decided to transfer to a different college for another year, he could have made much more than that in a single year. Miami Hurricanes reportedly offered him around $4m while Notre Dame may have even raised the stakes to $8m. Those are big paychecks for a single year. But, Quinn Ewers is now a backup for QB Tua Tagovailoa. 

As per Michael Ginnitti’s post on X through Spotrac, “As the #231 overall pick, QB Quinn Ewers receives a $131,576 signing bonus per his rookie contract with the #Dolphins, the only guaranteed portion of the deal.” Imagine leaving behind $4m a year. 

But Ewers only had a 4-day window if he had decided to transfer. As there wasn’t much flexibility there, Ewers chose to leave the big numbers on the table and make his mark in the big leagues. While Ewers looks to the future, his agent, Ron Slavin, is clearly pissed at the league for his client’s draft fall. Slavin has said, “They thought he was a third- or fourth-round pick, but too big of a name to be a clipboard holder – Which I think is chicken s—.”

But Quinn Ewers is grateful, and even excited to be a part of the NFL. He has said, “I wanted to continue on my career path, and I know I’m ready for the NFL – I think my game fits the NFL better than it does in college, honestly, I’m ready for the next step.” Ewers now sits behind QBs Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson in the Dolphins’ depth chart. But his underdog journey might just become a great one from here on out. After all, many scouts have already linked his likeness to former NFL legends.

Quinn Ewers: Backup, or future starter?

While Quinn Ewers’ rookie deal gets side-glances from fans, his former coach Steve Sarkisian is rooting for him strongly. “Who are we to judge and criticize a young man who’s making a decision about his future? Who’s only done things the right way, to the best of his ability? Who gave everything he could to our program, and decided, ‘You know what? Now’s my time’.” This praise speaks volumes on what Ewers brings to the Dolphins’ roster.

He’s got numbers for support too. His 3 years with Texas boasts a massive 9,128 passing yards and 68 TDs, with 8 rushing TDs too. Sarkisian further added, “here’s Quinn Ewers, who decides not to go to another school to say, ‘You know what? I’ve left a legacy at the University of Texas. I’m going to go chase my dreams and fulfill my dreams of playing in the NFL’.” That’s big.

And it’s not just his former coach. An NFL scout had notably said Ewers is “eerily similar” to Brock Purdy. And Purdy was a late round pick that rose to the QB1 position through sheer grit and hard-work. The scout also added, “Tua [Tagovailoa] has shown the league he’s a wild-round QB. Eventually the franchise and fans will get tired of it. Ewers has some traits that could put him on the field.” And Tua isn’t just a “wild-round QB”, notable head injuries also marked his 2022 and 2024 season. If something similar happens this season, it will be up to Zach Wilson to take up the job. Or maybe Ewers could get a shot to prove his skills.

While Quinn Ewers’ story is that of an underdog in the making, he’s also excited to be a part of the Dolphins. He had notably said, “I’m glad that I ended up where I ended up – To go as late as I did, I’m glad it’s a good spot.” And this is a guy who has clearly chosen football over the big bucks. With the minicamp starting from May 9th, we know he’ll be gearing up to show us what he’s got.