The Miami Dolphins face important decisions at the quarterback position as they consider moving on from Tua Tagovailoa this offseason. According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, Malik Willis of the Green Bay Packers and Jimmy Garoppolo of the Los Angeles Rams, both impending free agents, are key candidates Miami is monitoring closely.
New head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan bring prior experience with Willis from their time with Green Bay, while Garoppolo’s past work under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik with the 49ers adds appeal for Miami’s staff.
Background and Career Overview of Malik Willis
Willis, 26, played two seasons as a starting quarterback at Liberty University after transferring from Auburn, compiling a 17-6 record during that stretch. He was drafted 86th overall in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee traded Willis to the Packers for a seventh-round pick after the preseason.
Completing the final year of his rookie contract, Willis will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time this offseason. In the 2025 season, he appeared in four games with Green Bay, completing 85.7% of his passes for 422 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also added 123 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 22 carries.
Jimmy Garoppolo’s NFL Journey and Current Status
Garoppolo, now 34, entered the league as a second-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2014 before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers at the 2017 deadline. The 49ers secured him with a five-year, $137.5 million contract in 2018, making him a highly paid starter at the time.
Garoppolo agreed to a pay cut in 2022 that included a no-tag clause, later signing a three-year, $72.8 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, he was released by the Raiders before the 2024 season and subsequently signed by the Rams. Garoppolo was suspended for two games due to a violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy but was re-signed by Los Angeles on a one-year extension.
In the 2024 season, Garoppolo played one game for the Rams, completing 65.9% of his passes for 334 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Strategic Fit and Future Prospects for the Dolphins
Both Willis and Garoppolo have connections to Miami’s current leadership, making them attractive options to fill the quarterback void. Willis’s youth and mobility couple with familiarity from Hafley and Sullivan, while Garoppolo’s experience and ties to coordinator Bobby Slowik provide a potential offensive continuity.
With the Dolphins preparing for a critical offseason, securing a reliable quarterback is a priority as they look to advance their competitiveness. Monitoring the free agency market closely for updates on Willis and Garoppolo will be important as Miami crafts its roster moving forward.
Next big Dolphins offseason question centers at QB.
A look at trade Tua Tagovailoa scenario (if they add sweeteners – money or a pick) and who could be the next starting QB?
For @nflnetwork The Insiders: pic.twitter.com/Cmhydjn5G8
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) February 18, 2026
