Green Bay Packers head coach hit the Miami Dolphins with a reality check when discussing the ceiling for Malik Willis.
The Miami Dolphins brought in Malik Willis to be the new starting quarterback and potentially be the long-missing franchise answer. While the jury is still out regarding if he can truly be a starter, he received glowing praise from Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
LaFleur indicated that he believes Willis can be a successful starter, but also hit the Dolphins with a reality check when offering that admission.
One of the glaring issues with Willis being brought to the Dolphins in 2026 is that the team has released many players who could have aided in the young passer's success. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was released, and Jaylen Waddle was traded to the Denver Broncos.
The Dolphins have addressed that by bringing in former Los Angeles Rams receiver Tutu Atwell and former Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert. Atwell and Tolbert's production in 2025 left a lot to be desired, but they could see a turnaround in 2026.
There is no guarantee that it will happen, and the Dolphins are likely to bring in some rookie talent to also help, but relying on rookies comes with its own challenges.
That said, LaFleur did indicate that Willis will be successful, but he warned that not surrounding him with the pieces could be a big mistake.
Per Sun Sentinel's David Furones, LaFleur indicated that he believes Willis will be a successful starting quarterback, but he inadvertently warned the Dolphins about leaving him without weapons.
"Packers coach Matt LaFleur, at NFL owners meetings, said he has a strong belief Malik Willis can be a successful starting QB in the league. But he added any QB needs weapons, and it shouldn’t all be on his shoulders," Furones wrote on X.
LaFleur has a major point in that the Dolphins' gutting their offense will present Willis with challenges, as the situation would present challenges for any quarterback.
Miami is in the middle of a rebuild and the roster was always going to take a hit. However, the Dolphins are simply without proven playmakers in the wide receiver department.
This also presents a unique opportunity for Willis as well. If he can produce a solid season with limited playmakers, that will be a huge win for him and the Dolphins.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley could come out looking like geniuses if Willis puts together a respectable season with a torn-down roster. However, this also works two-fold, as producing a less-than-desirable season may hurt his long-term stock.
Willis may be judged too harshly if he cannot put things together, but will the blame be on him for not having the playmakers needed?
There are too many unknown variables for the Dolphins right now, but rebuilding through the draft is now the most important goal. If the front office can hit on several picks, one of which is a viable receiver for Willis, the future might look a little more bright for South Florida.