The criticism coming Malik Willis’ way feels a little off target.
Yes, the Miami Dolphins enter 2026 with plenty of skepticism hanging over them. That comes with the territory after an offseason that saw a wave of high-profile departures under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. This is not a roster built to scare anybody, and that reality has colored the way people are talking about the team before camp even gets rolling.
Willis, though, is getting tagged as a possible bust in a way that doesn’t quite fit the situation. He arrived in Miami on a three-year, $67.5 million deal after flashing in spot duty for the Packers over the last two seasons. He’s still more projection than proven commodity, but the appeal is obvious: arm talent, explosive athleticism, and a skill set that gives the Dolphins something they simply didn’t have before.
Still, the doubts keep coming, mostly because of what’s around him. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton recently pegged Willis as Miami’s biggest bust, pointing straight at the state of the offense.
"Malik Willis isn't set up to flourish on a rebuilding squad with arguably the league's worst pass-catching group," Moton said. "The Miami Dolphins are heading into training camp with Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington and Tutu Atwell as their top three wideouts. None of the aforementioned receivers has caught more than 49 passes in a season."
That’s a fair description of the problem. But it also undercuts the bust label.
If the supporting cast is that shaky, how much of the blame can really land on Willis? He’s being asked to operate behind a thin, uncertain group, and even with the money attached to his contract, his salary still sits well below the going rate for an established NFL starter.
If he can’t lift this collection of rookies and limited veterans, would anybody inside the building be stunned? Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley would never say that out loud, but the expectations have to be measured against the roster as it stands.
The more realistic hope is simpler: Willis does enough to keep the Dolphins from forcing a quarterback pick in 2027. Whether that turns into a long-term answer is another matter. But to call him a bust, he’d probably have to be one of the worst starters in the league.
And if there are players in Miami who truly need big years, the pressure sits elsewhere too. Kenneth Grant, Chop Robinson and Jonah Savaiinaea all have plenty to prove if they want to keep their starting jobs.
In Other News...
Former Dolphins Lineman Could Make Chargers Fans Regret Everything
The Chargers took a swing on Cole Strange this offseason, betting the former Patriots first-round pick can settle in at guard after a modest run with Miami. Stranges brief Dolphins stint came after James Daniels went down, and he even got a short look in the lineup ahead of Kion Smith, but it never really changed the broader view of him as a player still trying to find his footing in pass protection.
Miami, meanwhile, may have already found a cleaner answer. The Dolphins brought in former Chargers guard Jamaree Salyer, who is battling Jonah Savaiinaea for the right guard job and is viewed as a potential upgrade at a far friendlier price. If Salyer wins the job and settles in quickly, it would only sharpen the contrast between what Miami gained and what Los Angeles is hoping Strange can still become. [Read more 🡒]
Quinn Ewers Is Suddenly Worth Watching In Miami's QB Picture
Quinn Ewers has become a more interesting name in Miamis quarterback conversation after spending the offseason settling in and working through the Dolphins offense. The rookie has talked about feeling more comfortable in the system, and the focus has shifted from trying to memorize every detail to recognizing defensive keys and tells, a sign of how far along he has come since arriving.
Bobby Slowik has also pointed to clear progress, saying Ewers has taken another step and is playing with more conviction and freedom. Miami still chose to bring in Malik Willis rather than simply rolling into 2026 with Ewers as the answer, but the quarterback room does not sound strained by that move, which leaves Ewers in a position where his development remains worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]