Despite a nightmare quarterback room for the last two seasons, the Dolphins gave up on former University of Texas starter Quinn Ewers in short order.

Ewers was traded to the Jaguars on Sunday for a sixth-round pick during roster cutdowns, and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan wasn’t mincing words over why he did it. 

“When I made the decision, I was set,” Sullivan told reporters on Monday. “I think he needed a fresh start. I think we needed a fresh start. Look, this is a performance-based business, and it was not getting done at the level it needed to get done at. Quinn knew that.” 

The move essentially becomes a quarterback swap, as the Dolphins also traded a sixth-round pick for former Ohio State and Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord in a separate deal with the Packers. 

Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley represent a new regime for the Dolphins after coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier were fired separately last season.

Ewers clearly wasn’t impressing the new Dolphins front office in practice, although he has some decent game film while starting for the Dolphins last year.

The former Longhorn, who started over Arch Manning during the latter’s freshman and sophomore seasons, threw for 622 yards and three touchdowns to go along with three interceptions for the Dolphins last regular season after Tua Tagovailoa was benched.

In his best career start, Ewers went 14-for-22 for 172 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 20-17 win over the Buccaneers. 

Ewers has had limited game tape aside from that, though no one will forget his NFL preseason debut, where he went 4-for-16 with 63 yards and two lost fumbles last season.

In his small bit of action this preseason, he went 1-for-8 with 27 yards and an interception. 

He suffered a groin injury in camp that severely cut down his game reps for Miami. 

Multiple reports suggest that the front office was displeased with Ewers while the coaching staff was supportive.

Ewers had been expected to play in the Dolphins’ preseason finale, though he wound up sitting in that game to rest his groin injury.

He now gets a fresh start with the Jaguars, where Liam Coen appears excited to bring him into the building. 

“Definitely a challenge to get him onboarded here in the short term,” Coen told Rich Eisen. “We really like the guy. He gets the quarterback position. Really appreciate what he put on tape in Miami last year. Beat Tampa in one of those games back at home. He’s got arm talent. Now it’s about getting him onboarded and up to speed.”

Ewers will slot in behind starter Trevor Lawrence on the Jaguars depth chart.