Change is brewing in the AFC East, with the Buffalo Bills keeping a close eye on their rivals in New York and Miami. The Jets remain a bit of a mystery when it comes to their 2026 quarterback plans, but the Dolphins have a clear connection with a potential free agent gem.
Enter Malik Willis. After two seasons in Green Bay, Willis finds himself linked to the Dolphins, where new head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan are calling the shots. As Miami signals its readiness to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, the buzz around Willis joining the Dolphins grows louder.
While the idea of Willis in Miami is intriguing, the financial implications are becoming more daunting as free agency approaches. And that’s music to the ears of Bills fans.
Malik Willis's Contract Talks Stir the AFC East
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reports that teams eyeing Willis acknowledge he’s likely to command a $30 million per year contract. Although that's slightly less than the $35.5 million Spotrac projected, it still suggests a hefty payday for a player yet to prove his full worth. A bidding war could easily push his contract into that higher territory.
Miami faces a financial conundrum. If they cut Tagovailoa instead of trading him, they’re staring at $99 million in dead cap space. With few teams willing to take on Tagovailoa’s hefty contract, the Dolphins are taking a risk if they swap him for Willis.
Credit to Willis, his stint in Green Bay helped erase memories of a rocky start in Tennessee. Drafted in the third round by the Titans, Willis has thrown just 89 passes and started three games with the Packers. He was a project quarterback out of Liberty in the 2022 NFL Draft, and remains one today.
A $30 million investment in an unproven, albeit promising, player like Willis is significant. He’ll likely sign a two-year deal with front-loaded money and guarantees, similar to Justin Fields’ contract in New York last offseason. This structure provides an exit after Year 2 if needed, or a solid foundation if things go well.
Even if Miami retains offensive talents like Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane, the outlook isn’t rosy. The Dolphins have roster gaps, exacerbated by releasing veterans like Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb.
For Bills fans, this is all positive news. The potential Willis-Miami partnership is no surprise in NFL circles, but neither is the skepticism about Miami's strategy of spending big to solve their issues. It’s a narrative the Bills Mafia knows all too well.