After the Miami Dolphins signed quarterback Malik Willis in free agency, ESPN has projected his 2026 season.
The Miami Dolphins will enter the 2026 NFL season with a new starting quarterback under center.
Gone are the days of fans being frustrated with Tua Tagovailoa failing to live up to his potential. Tagovailoa is now fighting for playing time with the Atlanta Falcons against Michael Penix Jr.
To replace Tagovailoa, the Dolphins got aggressive in NFL free agency. They agreed to terms with former Green Bay Packers' elite backup quarterback Malik Willis on a three-year, $67.5 million deal.
Willis has been with the Packers for the last two seasons. While he was the backup to Jordan Love, Green Bay called upon him to play meaningful football in each of the last two years. He rose to the occasion and played at a very high level.
Back in the 2024 season, his first year with the Packers, Willis played in seven total games. He completed 74.1 percent of his pass attempts for 550 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. In 2025, he threw for 422 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, while completing 85.7 percent of his passes.
On the ground, Willis was lethal as well. He totaled 138 yards and a touchdown in 2024 and 123 yards and two scores in 2025.
What should Miami fans be expecting from Willis this season? ESPN has revealed their projections for his 2026 stat line.
ESPN's Mike Clay has shared that he believes Willis will complete 346 of his 540 passes for 3,723 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while also rushing for 542 yards and four scores.
Obviously, those aren't the numbers the Dolphins are hoping to see from Willis. Only predicting 13 touchdown passes seems a bit low. Willis showed an incredibly talented arm last season for the Packers.
That being said, Willis has now been given extra motivation to prove ESPN wrong. They clearly are not expecting him to come in and turn the Miami offense around.
Leading up to the 2026 NFL season, there will be a lot of excitement within the Dolphins' fan base. Even though Willis is unproven as a full-time starter, seeing what he was able to do in Green Bay gives hope for the future in Miami.
