The Miami Dolphins appear to be the favorites in terms of bringing over multiple Green Bay Packers coaches and executives, and Malik Willis should be next.
The Miami Dolphins are starting to put together the pieces for this new era of football.
After a seemingly short-lived general manager search, the Dolphins brought in former Green Bay Packers VP of player personnel, Jon-Eric Sullivan. Now, the team is reportedly zeroing in on Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Hafley reportedly impressed everyone in his virtual interview, and he has been named the frontrunner by multiple NFL insiders.
Should the Dolphins move forward and hire Hafley as the next head coach, the team should set its sights on quarterback Malik Willis.
Willis began his career with the Tennessee Titans, but things did not pan out when he started in relief for the injured Ryan Tannehill. Following a trade to the Packers in 2024, the talent for the young signal caller began to show.
Willis played in seven games in 2024, going 2-0 in his two starts, and putting together 550 yards, three touchdowns, 138 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown.
Willis would get another chance to start for Jordan Love in 2025, starting in one game and appearing in four. He threw 422 yards and three touchdowns, along with securing 123 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
The Packers quarterback showcased some elite ball-handling capabilities and is a very mobile quarterback. This is what the Dolphins need, and with the ties to the Green Bay franchise, the organization may want to try to sign him.
Willis is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026, and the Dolphins need a quarterback to come in and either compete or become the starter. The team has rookie Quinn Ewers, but he only had a three-game audition after Tua Tagovailoa was benched.
Miami needs to find a legitimate starter, as the quarterback class in the 2026 NFL Draft is deemed to be lacking. If that is truly the case, the Dolphins may look to the 2027 NFL Draft instead.
The Dolphins also need time to rebuild the roster, and they could give Willis a one to two-year deal, allowing him to compete and push Ewers, or to land the starting job himself.
If that is the case and Willis turns out to be the talent that everyone has seen in limited action, the Dolphins could transition to building around the young quarterback in the 2027 draft and beyond.
The Dolphins have already brought in Sullivan, and Hafley appears to be a strong candidate for the head coach position. Willis should be the next domino to fall in this growing Packers-led Miami rebuild.