MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins are getting into a brand new period at quarterback.
The staff launched Malik Willis on Thursday after signing the free agent to a three-year contract, a transfer that comes after the Dolphins launched longtime starter Tua Tagovailoa earlier this week.
Willis, 26, who spent the previous a number of seasons growing as a backup and spot starter, stated his familiarity with new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and common supervisor Jon-Eric Sullivan performed a significant function in his resolution to return to Miami.
“There’s a lot of great reasons to be here,” Willis stated. “Those two guys are the biggest ones, in my opinion, as far as what I see this organization and this team becoming. I can’t see the future but all I know is they’re going to put in the work each and every day just as well as I will try to do the same.”
While the expectation is that Willis will compete for — and doubtlessly win — the beginning job, the quarterback stated he’s centered on persevering with to develop after a number of years studying completely different techniques across the league.
“I don’t think I put a timeline on it,” Willis stated when requested how lengthy he had waited for a chance to steer a staff. “I think it happened when I was prepared. I think when I came into the league, I wasn’t prepared, and that’s not a knock toward my coaches or myself; that’s just what it was coming from the system I came from, and I’ve had a chance to learn the last four years since I’ve been in the league. I went through four different offenses and seen a bunch of different defenses, and I just think I’ve grown a lot and I’m grateful for the opportunity once again.”
Willis stated the recruiting course of largely went by means of his agent, with either side figuring out Miami as a possible match.
“I mean, we’re here now, so that’s what’s important,” Willis stated. “Me and my agent talked about places that may need a quarterback or may be a good fit situation wise. It all played out that we end up being here and that’s all that matters.”
The quarterback additionally praised Hafley and Sullivan for the way in which they strategy their jobs and work together with gamers.
“Just how they go to work each and every day and the way they treat people,” Willis stated. “I think that’s more important than anything when you come to a business that relies around people.”
Willis will be part of an offense that features playmakers reminiscent of working again De’Von Achane and huge receiver Jaylen Waddle.
“I think it’s awesome,” Willis stated. “I think they both might be faster than me and that’s a good thing.”
After years of ready for an opportunity to steer a staff, Willis stated he’s attempting to remain centered on preparation quite than expectations.
“You’ve got to trust in God’s plan for your life,” he stated. “He wakes you up and gives you the opportunity to get better, I think that’s all you should ask for. When the opportunity arises, that’s when you’ll be able to take advantage of it but until then, you’ve got to keep working.”
Willis added that management is one thing that have to be earned over time as he begins working together with his new teammates this offseason.
“I feel like leadership, we should all be leading each other,” he stated. “Obviously to earn the position of leadership, that’s what you’ve got to do. You’ve got to earn it.”
In 2025, Willis appeared in 4 video games with Green Bay and accomplished simply over 85% of his passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns. He additionally recorded 123 yards speeding on 22 carries and two touchdowns.
Willis was a former first spherical choose for the Tennessee Titans within the 2022 NFL Draft earlier than being traded to Green Bay for a seventh-round choose.
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