Dolphins signing QB Malik Willis: Answering 6 key questions

MIAMI GARDENS, FL — It’s the end of one era and the beginning of another in Miami.

hours after the announcement tua tagovailoaRelease of, the miami dolphins agreed to a contract with the quarterback malik willis – A three-year, $67.5 million deal that potentially makes him the team’s starting quarterback through at least the 2026 season.

First-year general manager John-Eric Sullivan was coy about Miami’s interest in Willis when asked about Willis at the NFL Combine last month, but the Dolphins wasted no time in completing the Green Bay reunion; Willis, Sullivan and first-year coach Jeff Hafley spent the last two seasons together with the Packers.

Sullivan has placed an emphasis on adding competition to the quarterback room and did so on the first day of the league’s negotiating period.

ESPN NFL Nation Miami Dolphins reporters Marcel Louis-Jacques and green Bay Packers Reporter Rob Demowski and ESPN senior fantasy writer Eric Karabel discuss what’s next for each team following the signing.

Why did the Dolphins sign Malik Willis?

Miami’s need at quarterback went from speculative to immediate Monday morning when it announced Tagovailoa’s release. This doesn’t necessarily have this team ready to compete for the next Super Bowl, but the Dolphins now have a quarterback they believe will give them a chance to win every week.

This familiarity is obvious considering Willis, Sullivan and Hafley spent two years together in Green Bay; This signature requires a lot of guesswork. Long before Willis hit the open market, Sullivan and Hafley took a close look at his work ethic and development and gave him a deal that will likely lock him in as Miami’s starter for at least the next season or two. –Louis-Jacques

What did the Dolphins see in Willis’ six career starts that compelled the signing?

The Dolphins saw a player who could force defense with both his arms and legs – a trait their offense had lacked the past few seasons with Tagovailoa. But while Willis technically has six starts, he has three tennessee titans A novice can be taken out effectively.

Willis was a developmental player when the Titans drafted him in the third round in 2022, but his development didn’t really take off until he joined the Packers in 2024. In three starts with Green Bay, Willis threw for 612 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, and added 174 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. With a full offseason of starter reps, his potential is high.

“Apparently he was the quarterback on our scout team,” Hafley said. “So a lot of times he can’t really do what he does best because I was sitting there telling him, if we were playing a dropback guy and he started scrambling, I would tell him, ‘Hey, you’ve got to stay in the pocket, man. Like, stop scrambling. That’s not what we’re doing today.’ And then if we were playing a scrambler, he could play his game and do his thing.

“Obviously he and I have a great relationship, and he’s always done a great job and given us everything he’s got.”

–Louis-Jacques

What does this signature say about the dolphin’s direction of attack?

There is still work to be done but it looks a lot better than before with the quarterback in place.

Miami has exciting players playing offense at running back D’Von Achen and wide receiver jaylen waddleBut it still needs an additional receiver or two to complement Waddle, a tight end and a right guard.

The Dolphins have eight draft picks to address these needs and their needs on the other side of the ball, but this is a solid start. –Louis-Jacques

With Willis and Ewers in the building, are the Dolphins set on a QB or will they look to the draft for more depth?

Sullivan has consistently stated that the Dolphins will draft a quarterback this year, and will likely do so every year. Willis will likely get the first reps in spring practice, but Ewers can’t be counted out just yet; One of these players will still have to earn the job.

This potentially confirms that Miami will not spend a high draft pick on a quarterback, however, there is speculation about Alabama’s interest in it. ty simpson There has been an increase in the last few weeks. keep an eye on players like tylane green, Drew AllarAnd carson beck –Players who aren’t likely to have high picks in the draft, but offer interesting options late in the draft. –Louis-Jacques

Where do the Packers stand at backup QB? Will they look to the draft or free agency to fill this void?

packers signed desmond ridder Added at the end of last season kyle mccord on a futures deal immediately after the season, but general manager Brian Gutekunst said he would “definitely” consider extending the position this offseason. Of Ridder, Gutekunst recently said: “He brings some elements that we want in a backup quarterback. I think he’s got a little bit of upside. I don’t think he’s reached his full potential yet, so I’m excited about that. But there will definitely be competition.”

Gutekunst has stated that he would like to get back into the business of drafting developmental quarterbacks on a more regular basis. Gutekunst gave two (sean cliffordRound 5 in 2023; Michael Pratt, Round 7 in 2024) Since using a first round pick on jordan love In 2020.

You can’t rule out a trade, like when the Packers acquired Willis just before the start of the 2024 season, if neither Clifford nor Pratt could win the backup job. –Demowski

How does this move affect Willis’ fantasy stock?

The 26-year-old Willis, entering his fifth NFL season, finally gets a legitimate opportunity to be the starting QB in Miami. He shined during his brief stint with the Packers last season, rushing for 60 yards and two touchdowns in Week 17. Baltimore Ravens And he has completed 85% of his 35 passes for the season, so there is a clear statistical advantage for this athletic, dual-threat option. Willis quickly becomes a fantasy sleeper, not someone we could call a safe top-10 option, but he could quickly become a reliable option. –Eric Karabel