Malik Willis, who served as the backup quarterback for the Green Bay Packers during the 2024 NFL season, is heading into free agency with growing interest from multiple teams. Before joining the Packers, Willis played 11 games, including three starts, with the Tennessee Titans, where he completed 53.0% of his passes for 350 yards, threw no touchdowns, and had three interceptions with a passer rating below 50. However, after being traded to Green Bay, his performance saw a significant improvement, completing 78.7% of his passes for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions, culminating in a 134.6 passer rating over 11 games and three starts. This sharp uptick makes him a highly sought-after quarterback for teams looking for a potential starter in 2026.
Miami Dolphins Seen as a Strong Match for Willis According to ESPN Analysis
ESPN placed Malik Willis 17th on their list of the top 50 NFL free agents this offseason, highlighting a natural fit between Willis and the Miami Dolphins given the team’s recent leadership changes. New head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, both formerly with Green Bay, have firsthand experience with Willis and could integrate him effectively into Miami’s offense. ESPN envisions a scheme featuring motion and play-action that would showcase Willis’ passing skills and quarterback running ability, potentially creating challenges for opposing defenses and maximizing his upside as a developing talent.
“With new leadership in Miami, the club could move on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. New coach Jeff Hafley and new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan know Willis well from their shared time in Green Bay, and Willis could slot in as the new starter under coordinator Bobby Slowik. Let’s envision a scheme built around motion/movement, with play-action elements woven in; that would set up Willis well as a thrower, and the QB run game would generate conflict for opposing defenses. Willis’ development in Green Bay creates upside for the Dolphins.” – ESPN Analysis
Although the connection between Willis and Miami’s leadership is clear, the Dolphins face a major obstacle concerning incumbent quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s contract. Trading Tagovailoa this offseason would require a team willing to absorb his salary exceeding $50 million per year, while releasing him now would trigger a $99 million dead cap penalty. Waiting until after the 2026 season to release Tagovailoa would save the Dolphins $22 million in salary cap space. Because of this financial complexity, it remains uncertain whether Miami can provide Willis a starting position immediately, despite their familiarity and interest in him.
Financial Constraints and Roster Decisions Could Influence Willis’ Fit in Miami
Given Tua Tagovailoa’s substantial contract and the difficulty in moving him, the Dolphins’ ability to commit to Malik Willis as a starter appears limited for the near future. Until the team successfully trades or releases Tagovailoa, Willis would likely face competition for playing time or revert to a backup role, which may not align with his aspirations as a developing quarterback. While the possibility of a trade exists, it is uncertain if Miami will restructure their quarterback situation soon enough to accommodate Willis’ growth as a starter.
Additional Updates on Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Sports
As Malik Willis’ situation evolves, other notable Green Bay Packers developments include free agent linebacker Quay Walker being recognized as a strong fit to reinforce the team’s defense in the NFC. Additionally, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur issued a statement in response to the resignation of Rich Bisaccia. There is also speculation that the Packers may capitalize on potential salary cap challenges faced by the Dallas Cowboys to strengthen their roster.
