Could Malik Willis Be the Dolphins’ Next QB Gamble?
Tua Tagovailoa’s future in Miami is officially on watch. The Pro Bowl quarterback recently signaled that he’s open to a fresh start elsewhere-and with the Dolphins already making sweeping changes at the top, parting ways with head coach Mike McDaniel, the idea of a quarterback reset doesn’t feel far-fetched.
If that reset happens, Miami’s next move under center becomes the storyline to watch. And one intriguing name is starting to surface: Malik Willis.
The 26-year-old quarterback is set to hit free agency this offseason, and his name has been linked to Miami thanks to a few key connections. New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan both come from the Green Bay Packers organization, where they became familiar with Willis during his time backing up Jordan Love. That familiarity could be the bridge that brings Willis to South Florida.
Now, let’s be clear: this would be a swing. A calculated one, maybe, but a swing nonetheless.
Willis has just six NFL starts under his belt. He’s shown flashes-mobility, arm strength, the kind of dual-threat upside that makes coaches dream-but he’s yet to prove he can handle the full-time load of leading an NFL offense. That said, he’s still young, and in the right system, with the right support, there’s a world where he develops into something more.
And that’s where Miami’s current roster comes into play. The Dolphins already have the pieces in place for a dynamic rushing attack, a system that could play to Willis’ strengths.
His mobility would add a new layer to an offense that, when healthy, has elite speed and playmakers all over the field. If Hafley and Sullivan believe they can tailor the scheme to fit Willis’ skill set, it could be a high-upside bet.
Of course, it all hinges on what happens with Tagovailoa. If the Dolphins decide to move on, they’ll have options-veteran free agents, draft prospects, trade targets. But if they want a low-cost, high-ceiling option with some built-in familiarity, Willis makes sense as a name to watch.
He’s not a sure thing. But sometimes, the right gamble can change everything.