Former Iowa Hawkeye Quarterback Makes NFL Practice Squad

With every NFL team needing to trim their roster from an upwards of 80 to 90 players down to 53, it was a weekend of musical chairs. Unless you're deeply entrenched in following NFL teams, you're probably not aware that teams can cut/waive players, let them pass through the latter waiver wire if need be, and then resign them to their practice squad, which doesn't count against the 53-man roster.

It's what happened to former Iowa Hawkeye quarterback Mark Gronowski, who was cut by the Miami Dolphins during final roster cutdowns. The team resigned him to their practice squad shortly after. Miami entirely remade their quarterback room in the process. The team went into the preseason with incumbent starter/free agent acquisition Malik Willis, second-year backup Quinn Ewers, and second-year late-round pick Cam Miller (Solon, IA native, I'll add). That's not what the room looks like now.

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Gronowski Joins an Inexperienced QB Room with the Dolphins:

Shortly after their final preseason game, Miami traded Ewers to the Jacksonville Jaguars. From there, they snagged Kyle McCord from Green Bay in a trade, and cut Miller. They also signed Brady Cook, who was cut by the New York Jets.

The depth chart isn't finalized yet, but I opine that McCord is behind Willis, Cook is behind McCord as QB3, and Gronowski, as confirmed, is on the Dolphins' practice squad. That is among the most inexperienced quarterback rooms in the league. Willis has only started three games between his stints with the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers. Cook started four games with the New York Jets.

Gronowski was One of the Better Iowa QBs in Recent Years:

When Gronowski transferred from South Dakota State to Iowa, the excitement was palpable.

Gronowski was among the most decorated quarterbacks in the FCS during his time with South Dakota State, throwing over 10,000 yards and 90 touchdowns while boasting a 49-6 record as a starter. There was hope he could invigorate Iowa's long-dormant offense and anemic passing game. However, Gronowski's passing numbers at Iowa were unremarkable, as he netted only 1,741 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, he was a willing, lethal runner. He rushed for over 500 yards and 16 touchdowns. Teams had to take him seriously on the move. He helped lead Iowa to a 9-4 record last season.

Will Gronowski Suit Up for the Dolphins?:

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Nobody knows what to expect from Malik Willis as the Dolphins' signal caller, for he lacks a long-run of starting experience. While it might be a snowball's chance that Gronowski sees the field for the Dolphins this season, I thought the same thing when the San Francisco 49ers took Brock Purdy with the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Look at him now.

Read more about Mark Gronowski landing on the Miami Dolphins' practice squad on NBC Sports' website.