The Miami Dolphins' AFC rival showed major interest in quarterback Malik Willis before he signed with the Fins.
The Miami Dolphins reportedly faced major competition for quarterback Malik Willis.
According to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi and Jeremy Fowler, the Cleveland Browns showed major interest in Willis before he inked a deal with the Dolphins.
“The Browns had interest in free agent quarterback Malik Willis but not at the three-year, $67.5 million contract he signed with the Miami Dolphins, according to a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking,” Oyefusi and Fowler reported.
While the Browns showed interest in the signal caller, he was not close to joining the team because Cleveland was not willing to meet his asking price.
Ultimately, Willis chose the Dolphins, signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract with Miami. Willis comes from the Green Bay Packers, where he spent the last two seasons as a backup.
He showed some promise last seaosn whenhe started for the injured Jordan Love. Willis posted impressive numbers in his limited action in Green Bay last season.
In four appearances and one start, Willis completed 30 completions for 422 yards with a completion percentage of 65.8 percent, three touchdowns and did not commit a turnover. Willis had a 145.5 passer rating and a QBR of 93.1.
Prior to his start with the Packers last season, Willis only started in five games in the span of three seasons.
After only starting six games in four seasons, Willis will likely be the new starting quarterback for the Dolphins after they cut ties with Tua Tagovailoa. After Tagovailoa spent six seasons as the starter, the Dolphins cleaned house and are now headed in a new direction with a brand new regime at the helm.
All eyes will be on Willis as he enters this new chapter of his career and of Dolphins football. He is expected to be the leader of the team, but it won’t be easy as he wil face various challenges with Miami rebuilding.
Nonetheless, Willis will be looked to as the engine to guide this young Dolphins team. In a recent press conference, Willis said he won’t try hard to be a leader, but added that it will come with time and that it needs to be earned.
"It's about building trust,” Willis said. "I mean, every play we go out there, whether it's calling the play, whether it's executing the play, whether it's making sure somebody else can get lined up, you build that over time. I don't think you just put somebody in a position to say, 'Okay, you're the leader now.' You got to earn that."
The Dolphins are projected to have a rough go this season, with the second-toughest schedule in the league.
