The Miami Dolphins have made a bold move to reshape their quarterback future, agreeing to terms with Malik Willis on a three-year, $67.5 million contract that includes a hefty $45 million fully guaranteed. The news, which broke on March 9, 2026, signals a new era in Miami, coming just hours after the team confirmed the release of veteran signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa. For Dolphins fans, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation—and perhaps a few nerves—about what Willis will bring to South Florida after his remarkable career turnaround in Green Bay.
Willis, 26, was one of the most intriguing free agents on the market this offseason. His journey to Miami is a testament to resilience and adaptability. Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Willis struggled to find his footing in the NFL early on. In his two seasons in Tennessee, he started just three games, completing only 53% of his passes for 350 yards and no touchdowns. The Titans’ decision to draft Will Levis in 2023 made Willis expendable, and he was traded to the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick just before the 2024 season began.
That move to Green Bay proved to be a turning point. Willis arrived in Wisconsin on August 26, 2024, and was thrust into action almost immediately. In the Packers’ season opener in Rio de Janeiro, he replaced an injured Jordan Love on the final drive. While his debut was brief and ended in a sack, it set the stage for a series of impressive performances. With Love sidelined by injury, Willis started in Weeks 2 and 3, leading the Packers to back-to-back wins. In Week 2, he completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, deftly managing a revamped offense that leaned heavily on the run game. The following week, he again displayed efficiency and poise, guiding the Packers to victory over his former team, the Titans.
Throughout his two seasons in Green Bay, Willis proved to be a reliable and versatile backup. He appeared in 11 games, starting three, and posted some eye-popping numbers: a completion rate of nearly 79% on 89 attempts, 972 passing yards, six touchdowns, and—perhaps most impressively—no interceptions. His passer rating stood at an elite 134.6, with a QBR of 77.3. In a smaller sample during the 2025 season, Willis completed 30 of 35 passes (an 85.7% clip), threw three touchdowns, and rushed for 123 yards and two more scores. In his only start of 2025, he went 18-for-21 for 288 yards and a touchdown, adding 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Not too shabby for a player once considered a draft bust!
But what makes Willis truly appealing to the Dolphins is his dual-threat capability. Unlike the more traditional Tagovailoa, Willis stresses defenses with both his arm and his legs. As ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques noted, "The Dolphins saw a player who can stress defenses with both his arm and his legs—a trait that their offense lacked over the past few seasons with Tagovailoa." In three starts with the Packers, Willis threw for 612 yards and three touchdowns without a single interception, adding another 174 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. That kind of athleticism and dynamism is exactly what Miami’s offense has been missing.
The reunion in Miami is more than just about Willis. The Dolphins’ new head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan both spent the previous two seasons with the Packers, giving them firsthand knowledge of Willis’ work ethic and potential. "Obviously him and I have a really good relationship, and he always did a really good job and gave us everything that he had," Hafley told the Miami Herald. Hafley also explained that Willis was often limited in practice, forced to mimic various opposing quarterback styles as the scout team QB, which sometimes meant "he really couldn’t do what he does best." But when given the chance to play his own game, Willis shined.
Willis himself seems ready for the next challenge. Speaking on "The Pat McAfee Show" after the news broke, Willis said, "All you can do is do your part, hold guys accountable as well as hold yourself accountable." That mentality, combined with his on-field versatility, is exactly what the Dolphins hope will spark a new era of success.
Of course, not everything about Willis’ rise is without questions. While his stats in Green Bay are impressive, there’s some debate about how much of his success was a product of Matt LaFleur’s innovative game planning. Some analysts point out that Willis has thrown fewer than 30 passes in traditional dropback situations, making it tough to project how he’ll fare as a full-time starter in a new system. As one observer put it, "Nobody really knows what Malik Willis is as a dropback passer." But Miami’s leadership is betting that the upside outweighs the uncertainty, especially given their familiarity with his strengths and character.
The Dolphins’ quarterback room is still a work in progress. While Willis is expected to get the first reps in spring practices, recent acquisition Quinn Ewers remains in the mix, and general manager Sullivan has indicated the team will continue to draft quarterbacks for depth. Miami’s offense already boasts playmakers like running back De’Von Achane and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, but additional weapons—another receiver, a tight end, and a right guard—are on the team’s wish list for the upcoming draft.
For fantasy football enthusiasts, Willis is suddenly a name to watch. According to ESPN’s Eric Karabell, "Willis instantly becomes a fantasy sleeper, not someone we can call a safe top-10 option, but he might become a reliable option soon." His ability to rack up points on the ground and through the air could make him a sneaky value pick if he claims the starting job outright.
Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers are left to fill the backup quarterback void created by Willis’ departure. They’ve signed Desmond Ridder and added Kyle McCord on a futures deal, but general manager Brian Gutekunst has made it clear that competition will continue, and the team may look to the draft or even another trade to solidify the position.
With the Dolphins and Packers set to face off at Lambeau Field during the 2026 regular season, fans on both sides will be circling that date. Willis will have a chance to prove himself against his former team and show that his Green Bay resurgence was no fluke.
One thing’s for sure: the Dolphins have made a statement with this signing. Whether Willis becomes the long-term answer in Miami remains to be seen, but the stage is set for one of the NFL’s most intriguing storylines of 2026. The Willis era in Miami has officially begun, and all eyes will be on South Beach to see if he can deliver on his promise.