Big changes could be coming under center in both Arizona and Miami, as the Cardinals and Dolphins are reportedly open to moving on from their current quarterbacks - Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, respectively. And with a potential shakeup brewing, one name is starting to gain serious traction: Malik Willis.
Once considered a flameout after a rocky start in Tennessee, Willis has flipped the narrative in Green Bay. Filling in for an injured Jordan Love, Willis didn’t just hold the line - he elevated it. Over two seasons with the Packers, he showed poise, playmaking ability, and the kind of growth that’s turned him into one of the most intriguing names in this year’s free agent quarterback market.
Now, he’s projected to command a two-year, $71 million deal. And two teams - the Cardinals and Dolphins - are being closely watched as potential suitors.
Let’s start with Arizona. The Cardinals are reportedly exploring the idea of moving on from Kyler Murray, and they may have a clearer path to doing so than Miami does with Tua.
Murray’s trade value, while not what it once was, is still relatively strong, and his contract is more palatable for a team looking to bring in a dynamic, dual-threat quarterback. If Arizona can find a trade partner, they could clear the way for a fresh start under new head coach Mike LaFleur - who, notably, is the brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
That connection could make the idea of bringing in Willis even more appealing.
In Miami, the situation is a bit more complicated. Tua’s recent struggles on the field have made his future murky, and the financials don’t help.
Cutting or trading him would come with a massive dead-cap hit, and the Dolphins are already in one of the toughest salary cap spots in the league - $16.4 million over the cap, with only $42.1 million to work with. That kind of financial strain makes it harder to pursue a quarterback like Willis, even if the interest is there.
Still, there are ties that could keep Miami in the mix. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley both came from Green Bay and were part of the organization during Willis’s resurgence. That familiarity could play a role if Miami can find a way to maneuver the cap.
For now, both the Cardinals and Dolphins are in quarterback limbo - weighing the costs of moving on from their current starters while eyeing a player who just a couple years ago seemed like a longshot to ever start again. Malik Willis has gone from afterthought to hot commodity, and if the right dominoes fall, he could be leading a new franchise in 2026.
Keep an eye on this one. The quarterback carousel is just getting started.