The Miami Dolphins are preparing for a significant overhaul this offseason, following the recent hiring of Jeff Hafley as their head coach. On February 16th, the team also released veteran wide receiver Tyreek Hill as part of their restructuring. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan addressed speculation surrounding Malik Willis’s potential arrival during the upcoming NFL free agency period in March.
Dolphins GM Highlights Malik Willis as a Highly Sought-After Quarterback
Sullivan, who worked closely with Willis and Hafley during their time in Green Bay, praised Willis as a valuable player whom many teams with quarterback needs are monitoring. Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, Sullivan stated,
“Any team in a quarterback-needy situation that tells you they’re not talking about Malik Willis, that would be a lie,”
indicating the widespread interest in Willis as a potential free agent acquisition.
Uncertain Quarterback Plans Leave Room for Various Possibilities
While Miami’s leadership is familiar with Willis, which fuels speculation about him joining the Dolphins, Sullivan was careful not to confirm any concrete moves. He noted discussions have involved multiple free agents beyond Willis and emphasized the complexity of future roster decisions.
He explained,
“We’ve talked about a lot of free agents, Malik’s just one of them,”
“We have no idea what that’s going to look like in our [quarterback] room. Is it going to be multiple draft picks? Is it going to be a free agent along with Quinn [Ewers]? Who knows. We have so many factors at play, we’ve got a lot of decision to make as we move through the next couple weeks.”
Malik Willis’s Performance and Potential Role with the Dolphins
During the 2025 NFL season, Willis stepped in for Jordan Love and delivered solid performances across four games, accumulating 422 passing yards with touchdowns, along with 123 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 22 carries. At 26 years old and a Liberty University alum, Willis could serve as a reliable bridge quarterback if Miami decides to sign him.
Salary Cap Constraints Could Influence Quarterback Decisions
Sullivan acknowledged that Miami faces financial limitations under the salary cap but suggested there is room for creative solutions to build a competitive roster. He responded to questions about potentially releasing Tua Tagovailoa to accommodate Willis by saying,
“It’s no secret we are restrained salary cap wise,”
“You can get creative and do almost anything. We also need to get back into a healthy salary cap state.”
Looking Ahead to the Dolphins’ Quarterback Strategy
As the Dolphins navigate free agency and the draft, their approach to the quarterback position remains fluid, with several options under consideration. The decisions made in the coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping Miami’s offensive outlook and long-term prospects.
“Any team in a quarterback-needy situation that tells you they’re not talking about Malik Willis, that would be a lie.” Jon-Eric Sullivan pic.twitter.com/kBEoCFFi5m
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) February 24, 2026
It’s no secret we are restrained salary cap wise. You can get creative and do almost anything. We also need to get back into a healthy salary cap state.
– Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, asked if deleting Tua and adding Malik Willis is financially feasible pic.twitter.com/co3Sfyijdk
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) February 24, 2026
