The 2025-2026 NFL season was a disaster for the Miami Dolphins. Miami finished with a 7-10 record and third in the AFC East. But the season was worse than even the record showed. Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a very rough campaign, finishing second in the league in interceptions with 15. He even got benched after a Week 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After missing the playoffs for the second straight year, Tagovailoa’s future with Miami looks to be in jeopardy. While Miami can trade Tagovailoa, his inconsistency and hefty contract will make it hard for Miami to find a suitor. The likely case for Miami is to eat his dead cap, cut him, and look for a replacement this offseason.
This year’s quarterback class does not look strong. Additionally, rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers did not show much upside last season. Hence, the best bet for Miami might be to take an unproven free agent quarterback on a short-term deal.
Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis has shown some flashes of being a starting quarterback in the league. Therefore, he could be a perfect low-risk, high-reward option for Miami.
Flashes in Limited Opportunity
While Willis has not had many opportunities over the past few seasons, he has played well when given a chance. He kept Green Bay competitive throughout the last few seasons in games when Jordan Love was out. While his numbers may not be the flashiest, his film features many intriguing traits.
Willis has shown the capability of being a starting dual-threat quarterback in the NFL. His improvisation skills, along with his arm talent, make his tape look strong. His ability to avoid sacks and use his legs opens the rest of his offense up. This also allows him to extend the play and give his receivers more time to get open.
The issue with a team committing to Willis is the uncertainty regarding his ability to play as his tape suggests for a full season. It is easier to look good while playing three games a season rather than a full 17. As such, his lack of a true sample size makes him a risky starting quarterback option. However, he could pay off heavily if he goes on to consistently play as advertised.
Miami Has Nothing Else To Lose
While it is a risk to sign Willis, Miami frankly has nothing to lose. They are not likely to be contending with their roster, already cutting key players like Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb. With these cuts, it is clear that the Dolphins are trending toward a rebuild.
As a rebuilding team, taking a flyer on a young quarterback makes a lot of sense. If Willis does play well, Miami has a cheap, core piece to build around; if he struggles, the Dolphins let him go and look for another option.
On top of the risks, Miami isn’t likely to be a big spender in a year looking to rebuild. This makes the idea of paying for Willis not look as bad in comparison to other teams. Willis is ranked as NFL.com‘s top free agent, and Miami should not hesitate pay him that way.
Ideal Willis Contract
The expectation for Willis’s contract is within the $30 million range per year. While that is a large price for a player who arguably has not yet earned it, Miami has the capital to spare.
The salary is high, but Miami can make it work by offering him a short-term deal. Giving Willis a two-year deal with the ability to opt out after a season is the best possible option. This would allow Miami to give him a shot without being forced to commit to the long term.
Having an opt-out after one year also gives Miami some flexibility. This comes as a benefit due to the strong quarterback class in the 2027 draft. With guys like Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Trinidad Chambliss, and Julian Sayin, there are plenty of options to look for in the upcoming draft. If Willis struggles, Miami will also struggle. This will give them a great draft position and a chance to find their franchise quarterback.
With the risks Malik Willis has as a quarterback, teams may not be willing to gamble on him. With his price, other teams also may not want to pay him what he wants. For the Miami Dolphins, both red flags have little effect on their team, making Willis a good risk to take.
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