Dolphins Encouraged by Malik Willis' Training Camp Turnaround

Jul 31, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) works during practice at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins Encouraged by Malik Willis' Training Camp Turnaround

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antwan Staley | Last updated Aug 4, 2026 5:04 PM ET

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Despite signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract in the spring, there are still questions surrounding Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis.

He is looking to prove he can be the team's franchise quarterback.

One week into training camp, coaches have been pleased with Willis' play.

“Just his work ethic every day,” Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said of Willis. “What he's doing, not just with me, but with the players and the relationships he's building with all of them. From the guys up front to the guys on defense to obviously the skill guys, he's really putting the time in.

“He's living in the facility. He’s in my office probably every few days, and we're just hanging out and kicking it. So, I mean, he's all in on making sure mentally he's up to snuff on where he needs to be and feels confident. Then I think everyone can see when we're out in camp, when he's confident, when he's letting it rip, he's thrown some really nice balls.”

Willis has turned it around after struggling early in camp

Reportedly, Willis has had an up-and-down training camp through six practices. After struggling on Day 2, however, he has rebounded with several solid performances.

According to South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporter David Furones, Willis has “minimized his mistakes.” When he has thrown interceptions, they have mostly come on tipped passes.

That would make some sense, considering the Dolphins have an unproven receiving corps after Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle departed during the offseason. Caleb Douglas has flashed throughout camp, but many of the team's other receivers have been inconsistent.
Furones also reported that Willis did very little running or scrambling during OTAs and minicamp, but that has changed during training camp, with Slowik incorporating designed quarterback runs into the offense.

C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald also wrote on X that, "QB Malik Willis fired some nice passes down the field. There's a lot of juice on that ball."

After investing so much in Willis, it is encouraging for Miami that his practice performances have improved. After being selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Willis struggled early in his career, throwing zero touchdown passes and three interceptions while appearing in 11 games.

Willis looked much different during his spot starts with the Green Bay Packers while filling in for Jordan Love. He completed 78.7% of his passes with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Miami and Slowik hope to see more of that version of Willis than the one who struggled in Tennessee.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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