5 plays that stood out from Dolphins' preseason opener vs. Bears

USA Today

3 days ago

The Miami Dolphins' preseason opener is a wrap.
And, in perfect preseason fashion, it ended deadlocked in a 24-24 tie between the Dolphins and Chicago Bears. There's plenty of overreactions to be drawn and some notable takeaways, too.
But, what did some of the highlights—or lowlights in a couple cases—look like on Sunday for Miami?
Here are five plays that stood out from Sunday's preseason opener between the Dolphins and Bears:
Willie Gay sacks Tyson Bagent
Listed as one of Miami's backup linebackers in the initial preseason depth chart unveil, Willie Gay Jr. still looks primed to carve out a role on the Dolphins' defense.
The two-time Super Bowl champion signed with Miami on a one-year, $1.34 million deal in March. Gay showed early in the preseason why he's been one of the training camp stars.
On the second snap of the preseason, Gay rushed in off the edge and dumped Bagent for a six-yard sack. Gay would finish his day with three tackles.
4th-and-3 completion to Malik Washington
The Dolphins gambled quite a bit last season, finishing tied-fifth in fourth-down attempts in 2024 with 31. Naturally, on the first fourth down of the preseason, the Dolphins gambled again.
Was this an early harbinger of what's to come for Miami?
Either way, it was great to see quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stand in and deliver a strike on the out route to Malik Washington, who is making a strong case as the Dolphins' No. 3 wide receiver option. Washington had a nice day, catching four passes for 18 yards, including another on a 3rd-and-4 snap that helped the Dolphins generate a goal-to-go situation on Tagovailoa's lone series of the day.
35-yard connection to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
The Dolphins have one of the NFL's best wide receiver duos in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The aforementioned Malik Washington figures to be one of Miami's top pass-catching options as well.
But, Miami would love to keep building depth in that room. One of Miami's top free agent additions got into the act early on Sunday.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine had just one grab on the day, but it was a big one. The 6'2, 211-pound receiver snagged a 35-yard grab from Dolphins backup quarterback Zach Wilson to set up the first touchdown of the preseason for Miami.
Westbrook-Ikhine signed a two-year, $5.99 million contract with the Dolphins in March after reeling in 32 catches for 497 yards and nine touchdowns a season ago in Tennessee.
Patrick McMorris picks off Bagent
The Dolphins' lone takeaway of the day was a notable moment for a couple of young Miami backups. Second-string cornerback Ethan Bonner deflected a pass intended for Bears receiver Samori Toure and third-string safety Patrick McMorris was right there waiting to intercept the Bagent pass.
It was an important moment for a pair of Dolphins looking to lock in 53-man roster spots and to perhaps crack Miami's defensive rotation.
Quinn Ewers fumbles twice
Seventh-round draft pick Quinn Ewers had a rough welcome to NFL action in his preseason debut. After a three-and-out on his first series of work, Ewers tried to extend a third-and-10 snap and fumbled the football way on a sack.
The former Texas Longhorn would lead a pair of scoring drives—an eight-play touchdown drive and a six-play drive that ended with a 56-yard field goal—but there was also some ugly mixed in there, too.
Ewers finished 5-of-18 passing for 91 yards and fumbled again on a fourth-and-15 snap on the Dolphins' second-to-last possession with a chance to drive Miami for the win.