Mark Gronowski’s first NFL opportunity has come to an abrupt end. The Miami Dolphins have waived the former Iowa quarterback, ending his short stay with the organization just days before the team’s first preseason game.
The Dolphins announced the roster move on Friday, August 7, as part of a broader reshuffling that also saw Miami sign safety Tanner Wall, claim cornerback Ahmari Harvey off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers and waive/injure safety Omar Brown.
For Gronowski, the timing is especially significant. The Dolphins had signed him as an undrafted free agent in late April, giving the former Iowa starter a chance to compete for a place on Miami’s quarterback depth chart during training camp. That opportunity lasted only a few months before the organization decided to move in another direction.
Gronowski arrived in Miami carrying an impressive college résumé, but the NFL transition is a different challenge altogether. At Iowa in 2025, he completed 166 of 262 passes for 1,741 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also rushing for 545 yards and 16 touchdowns in 13 games.
Those numbers tell an interesting story about the quarterback Miami was taking a chance on. Gronowski wasn’t simply a pocket passer; his ability to make plays with his legs was one of the defining features of his final college season, and he finished the year with 17 total touchdowns credited in Iowa’s official statistics.
His path to the NFL was also built on a much larger body of work. Before transferring to Iowa, Gronowski established himself at South Dakota State, where he became a two-time FCS national champion and developed a reputation as a winning quarterback. That background helped make him an intriguing undrafted option when Miami was filling out its roster.
But training camp is where potential has to turn into consistency, and Miami had several quarterbacks competing for limited opportunities. The Dolphins entered camp with a quarterback group that included Tua Tagovailoa’s successor situation already settled differently, while Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller were among the names competing for roles behind the team’s primary quarterback options.
The decision to waive Gronowski also came during an increasingly important stretch of camp. Miami’s first preseason game is scheduled for August 14 against the Washington Commanders, meaning every remaining practice is valuable for players trying to secure roster spots or earn another NFL opportunity.
There was also a notable moment during Friday’s practice involving Gronowski. According to reporting from the Dolphins’ practice session, defensive back Jackson Woodward intercepted a Gronowski pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. Fan discussion afterward focused heavily on the play, although there’s no official indication from the Dolphins that a single practice mistake was the reason for the roster decision.
That distinction matters. NFL roster decisions rarely come down to one throw, one practice or one afternoon. Teams evaluate players across meetings, practices, physical traits, decision-making, development potential and the overall makeup of the roster.
For Miami, the move appears to be another example of that evaluation process accelerating as preseason approaches. The Dolphins have continued making frequent adjustments to their 90-man roster, adding players through free agency and the waiver wire while removing others who haven’t secured a path forward.
For Gronowski, though, this doesn’t necessarily mean the NFL dream is over. Being waived in August can open another door, whether through another team’s active roster, a practice squad opportunity or a chance to compete somewhere else.
His college career gives him something many young quarterbacks don’t have: substantial experience, winning credentials and a proven ability to contribute as a runner. At Iowa alone, he accounted for more than 2,200 yards of total offense in 2025.
Now, the former Hawkeye faces another competition this time to convince an NFL team that his next opportunity deserves more than a training-camp audition.
The Dolphins have made their decision for now. Gronowski’s NFL story, however, may still have another chapter waiting.
