Dolphins GM: Malik Willis Not Necessarily A Bridge QB

While that could still end up being the case, the Dolphins have higher hopes for their free agent acquisition. While speaking to reporters today, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said that the organization views Willis as a long-term piece, assuming the QB actually performs.

“Malik is our guy,” Sullivan said (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). “Malik is an ascending player. It was important for us to get him on 3 year deal. We want to build around him. It’s not a bandaid. He’s got to go play and he knows this… He’s got an elite arm. He’s a very, very good athlete. Big strong powerful body… can make plays with his legs.”

The 2022 third-round pick didn’t click in Tennessee, but he found a home in Green Bay as Jordan Love‘s backup. He garnered some intrigue for his cameos over the past two years with the Packers, where he went 2-1 as a starter. In total, Willis finished his Green Bay tenure having completed 78.7 percent of his passes for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also add 261 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries.

That performance earned him a three-year deal from the Dolphins, who were seeking a new QB to guide their post-Tua Tagovailoa era. The Willis contract was worth $67.5MM, including $45MM in guaranteed money. Notably, the QB’s base salaries were fully guaranteed in 2026 and 2027, although his 2028 salary wasn’t guaranteed.

That’s led many to assume that the team will ultimately eye a rookie QB, with Willis temporarily keeping the seat warm. That may still end up being the case, but it seems likelier than not that the organization will wait a year until investing a high draft pick at the position. That will provide the Dolphins with a full year to evaluate Willis as their starting QB. In the event that he isn’t any good, the front office will likely be armed with a 2027 first-round pick that’s higher than the 11th-overall pick they’re currently holding (in a deeper QB draft class, no less).