First-year Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley has a clear vision for quarterback Malik Willis.
The Miami Dolphins are in a full rebuild. After cutting ties with a ton of core peices form years past like Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick to name a few, Miami is set to enter a new era.
The Dolphins aren’t expected to make much noise this season as they begin a new era under head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Still, the organization has done the best it could this offseason with the roster and resources currently in place.
The 2026 season may not end up being a memorable one, but Miami is still expected to compete hard and make the most out of the group they have. One player who will certainly do his best to guide the Dolphins is their new quarterback, Malik Willis.
Willis is set to enter his first season under center with the Dolphins. After spending most of his career as a backup, Willis will now be thrust into the starting spot.
It will be a whole new ball game for Willis from the start ot the end of the season, if things go his way. It’s unclear if Willis is the right guy for the job; however, Hafley will do his best to put his quarterback in the best situation possible.
“My main focus for him right now is to learn the scheme, get to know the players, and not overdo the whole leadership thing,” Hafley said. “I mean, I think that's my job and [the coaches'] job right now, so he can focus on becoming the best quarterback and the best player and the best teammate he can be.”
The 27-year-old is talented, and that was never an issue for him. However, Willis did not enter the NFL as a highly touted prospect. Entering the league, Willis was seen as a raw prospect and stuggle dreadfing though progressions and getting the ball out quickly enough.
Now, as he is set to enter his fifth season in the league, Willis has transformed himself into a highly effective, confident quarterback. His starting stint with the Green Bay Packers alone told the whole story of his development.
It’s unclear what type of role Willis will play for the Dolphins after this season; nevertheless, he will look to prove he was worth his three-year, $67 million contract.
If Willis can prove he’s capable of being a reliable starting quarterback from beginning to end, it could be enough for him to establish himself as the long-term answer under center for Miami.
