Tua Tagovailoa Sharp as Dolphins, Bears Battle to 24-24 Preseason Draw

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The Miami Dolphins began their 2025 preseason with a 24-24 tie against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Although the result did not add a tally to the win column, it showcased quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s readiness for the regular season and the potential of several young players. Head coach Mike McDaniel’s decision to play his starters early paid off. Tagovailoa orchestrated a nearly ten-minute opening drive, converting in high-pressure situations and moving the Dolphins to within one yard of a touchdown before the possession stalled. His precision passing and control of the offense demonstrated midseason form.

The battle for the backup quarterback position remains unresolved. Zach Wilson’s performance was inconsistent—marked by slow reads and missed throws, including a glaring miss to tight end Tanner Conner—but he responded with big completions to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Erik Ezukanma to set up a score. Rookie Quinn Ewers endured a rocky debut, highlighted by a costly fumble deep in Miami territory.

Miami’s special teams, now under coordinator Craig Aukerman, displayed marked improvement. Strong kick returns and disciplined coverage units helped control field position. On offense, rookie Malik Washington made a strong case for the third wide receiver slot by converting crucial fourth- and third-down plays during the opening drive. Defensively, linebacker Grayson Murphy, cornerback Jack Jones, and defensive tackle Matt Dickerson continued their standout training camp form. Each made timely plays, from generating backfield pressure to delivering tight coverage. While the tie leaves room for improvement, the Dolphins’ preseason opener revealed a promising mix of veteran stability and emerging talent heading into the regular season.