Malik Willis has a chance this week to answer one of the oldest critiques hanging over his game, and it comes from the coach who knew him best early on.
One strong outing won’t erase the questions around the Miami Dolphins quarterback. But back-to-back solid performances would start to change the conversation. Last week, Willis delivered his best game yet in a Dolphins uniform, looking sharp, steady, careful with the ball and, above all, decisive.
That last part matters most. Decision-making has been a recurring issue for Willis, and it stretches back to his time with then-Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots coach he’ll face this week. Vrabel was once asked about Willis’ evaluation, and his comments still line up with the concerns that have followed the quarterback through the first five weeks of the season.
Some evaluation made by Mike Vrabel about Malik Willis when he was his QB in Tennessee:
"He needs to try to throw the ball when guys are open, be more decisive."
"Overall, just comfort level. Being quicker with progression, not holding on, not waiting things out, knowing that…
Vrabel wasn’t off base. The same issues have shown up again and again this year: Willis has held the ball too long, looked uneasy in the pocket, and too often failed to move through his reads quickly enough to hit open receivers.
The encouraging sign is that last week looked different. For the first time this season, Willis was willing to get the ball out instead of letting plays die. That kind of quick decision has to stick if he wants to keep building on what he showed.
The matchup with New England figures to test that progress. Willis can extend plays with his movement and escape early pressure, but there are times when the smartest play is simply to throw it away.
He did that against the Jets when nothing was there. The Patriots are unlikely to be so forgiving, and they’ll keep trying to pressure him and squeeze the pocket.
Last week also gave Willis help in three important ways. Jackson turned in his best game of the year against one of the league’s best up-and-coming edge rushers in David Bailey, and the improved protection on the right side made a difference.
Douglas didn’t pile up targets, but his presence still mattered; the Jets had to account for him, and that changed how they defended and schemed. And Gordon’s rushing work has been a major factor, giving the Dolphins a chance to keep drives alive.
That support matters because Willis is no longer being asked to carry everything himself. With less weight on his shoulders, he played freer and more naturally against the Jets. Now he gets another shot to do it against Vrabel, with a chance to show that the old criticism is starting to fade.
In Other News...
Dolphins Secondary Is Feeling The Pressure Around Jason Marshall Jr
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The numbers around his coverage have been less encouraging, which is why the conversation around Marshall has started to broaden beyond just his own development. Defensive coordinator Sean Duggan recently pointed to the cornerback spot as one of the leagues hardest jobs, and the Dolphins know the answer is not as simple as asking one player to play better. There is still plenty of work to do on both the coaching and execution side, and Marshalls progress will remain one of the more important subplots in Miamis secondary. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Catch A Break As Patriots Lose Two Key Weapons
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Brown has been limited to only three games this season, while Henderson had become a meaningful part of New Englands rushing and passing game. With those two out, the Patriots will need more from backs like Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner, and Miami suddenly has a cleaner path to controlling the matchup in front of its home crowd. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Uche Just Sent A Strong Message About Miamis New Culture
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For a team trying to reset its identity, those comments carry some weight. Uches praise suggested the Dolphins are not just talking about a culture change, they are trying to live it every day, and players are responding to the tone Hafley has set. In a season where roster turnover can easily create uncertainty, Miami appears to have at least one veteran who sees enough in the direction of the program to want to be part of what comes next. [Read more 🡒]