HE'S BACK!
It was only a matter of time before Mark Gronowski was picked back up after the Miami Dolphins waived him before the start of the preseason on August 7. After initially signing as an undrafted free agent, Gronowski struggled during practice, throwing multiple interceptions and sliding down the Dolphins' depth chart. With the backup position behind starter Malik Willis still very much in the air, the Dolphins were relying on Cam Miller and Quinn Ewers after waiving Gronowski, and that experiment didn't last long.
Gronowski is back with the Miami Dolphins after one preseason game
Willis was efficient in limited duty during the Dolphins' first preseason game against the Washington Commanders, completing 4/5 passes for 43 yards and rushing twice for nine yards. After Miller entered the game, followed by Ewers, it didn't go well to say the least, potentially prompting the Dolphins to reach out to a familiar face.
Roster Moves | We have signed quarterback Mark Gronowski and inside linebacker Cam Riley.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 16, 2026
We have also placed guard/tackle Jamaree Salyer on the injured reserve list and waived/injured cornerback Ethan Robinson. pic.twitter.com/GIRGkcZDDe
While the organization won't ever admit it, after Miller went 3/11 for 39 yards and two interceptions and Ewers went 1/8 for 27 yards and an interception during the Commanders game, they needed to assess their backup QB options. It is clear that Miami should have waited until after the first preseason game to make a decision on Gronowski, and they quickly admitted they were a little too hasty by re-signing the former Hawkeye signal-caller. He spent the whole offseason learning the system and the playbook, so a reunion makes sense. After how poorly Miller and Ewers played against backups, Gronowski has a golden opportunity to rise up the depth chart.
Despite his reported practice struggles, Gronowski is an extremely smart football player with a high IQ and has one of the best resumes among quarterbacks in the 2026 draft class. He has over 58 combined collegiate victories at South Dakota State and Iowa, good for No. 1 all-time by a quarterback in NCAA history. He is also a two-time FCS National Champion (2022, 2023) and the 2023 Walter Payton Award winner, the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. He was never going to enter an NFL organization and become the starting quarterback from day one, but the Dolphins did him dirty by cutting him loose before giving him a real chance.
The reason the Dolphins waived Gronowski before the preseason is unknown, but he has a chance to rectify their mistake by taking hold of the backup job and holding on to it. Gronowski is a true dual-threat quarterback who showcased his rocket arm and rushing ability with the Hawkeyes, and even though the Iowa offense struggled at times, you can't blame Gronowski for that. We saw how Miller and Ewers performed against reserves, and they left a lot to be desired. You can't convince me that Gronowski could not have performed better, and now he could get his chance when the Dolphins host the New York Giants at Hard Rock Stadium on August 22.
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