Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers’ decision to enter the 2025 NFL Draft has sparked criticism, notably from ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum. Finebaum contends that Ewers’ choice was driven more by personal ambition than strategic career planning, especially after Ewers’ unexpected slide to the seventh round.
Paul Finebaum Criticizes Quinn Ewers’ Draft Decision After Slide in 2025 NFL Draft
On “McElroy and Cubelic,” Finebaum didn’t hold back when it came to Quinn Ewers. He said he doesn’t see Ewers as an NFL starter and even joked that he might be better suited holding the ball for extra point attempts. It was a pretty harsh take, but it really highlights how much doubt there is about Ewers’ ability to make it as a pro quarterback.
“He just let his ego get in the way, and he made a terrible decision. He would not have been at Texas. We all know that. They didn’t want him anymore,” Finebaum said. “He would have been somewhere like Carson Beck, making a lot of money, having a good time and maybe working on his skills, as opposed to being humiliated the way he was.”
That doubt was reflected in the draft. Despite all the early hype, Ewers slid all the way to the seventh round, going 231st overall to the Miami Dolphins. It was a surprising fall, especially since reports say he turned down an $8 million NIL deal to stay in college another year.
His college career definitely had its bright spots—he threw for over 9,100 yards and 68 touchdowns—but injuries and shaky play in big games raised a lot of red flags for scouts.
Finebaum’s criticism isn’t just his own—he’s echoing what a lot of NFL analysts and executives have been saying about Ewers. There were real concerns about his overall readiness for the next level.
People questioned his pocket awareness, how well he moves under pressure, his arm strength, and especially his deep-ball accuracy. A lot of folks think if he’d stayed in college one more year, he could’ve worked on those areas and maybe boosted his draft stock. Instead, he’s now heading into the NFL with plenty to prove.
Mixed Signals: Ewers’ College Success vs. NFL Readiness
Even though Quinn Ewers helped lead Texas to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances and put up big numbers—he’s third all-time at Texas in both passing yards and touchdowns—his jump to the NFL hasn’t exactly been met with open arms.
A lot of scouts were uneasy about how he handled pressure, especially in big games like the 2025 Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State. That game, in particular, raised doubts about his consistency and decision-making when it really counts.
Todd McShay, formerly of ESPN, was one of several analysts who suggested Ewers should’ve stayed in college for his senior year. He believed Ewers still had room to grow and that another season might have helped him polish his game and move up draft boards.
Between the injuries and the intense spotlight at Texas, McShay felt Ewers didn’t get the chance to fully show what he’s capable of.
Ewers’ decision to enter the draft, despite these concerns, has led to debates about the influence of personal ambition versus strategic career planning. While his college achievements are commendable, the challenges he faces in the NFL underscore the complexities athletes encounter when transitioning to the professional level.
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Ewers’ journey from a celebrated college quarterback to a late-round NFL draft pick highlights the unpredictable nature of athletic careers. Finebaum’s critique emphasizes the importance of strategic decision-making and readiness when transitioning to professional sports.
As Ewers embarks on his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, his experience serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring athletes about balancing ambition with preparedness.
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