Malik Willis Projected to Replace $212 Million QB

After demonstrating strong performances as a backup over the past two seasons, he is projected by Fox Sports' Greg Auman to replace Tua Tagovailoa as the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, despite Tagovailoa having signed a four-year, $212.1 million contract in 2024.

"Willis, 26, may be the hardest free agent to ballpark in terms of how much money he'll get," Auman wrote. "There's an absolute lack of quality quarterbacks available, combined with a weak QB draft class, so teams without an obvious starter may overpay here. Willis has only six career starts, but his work in Green Bay has been promising — six touchdowns, zero interceptions over the last two years, with a 79% completion percentage. Could he be a match for former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, seeking a reasonably priced answer he can build around in Miami? You'll see him projected for a Justin Fields-type deal, like two years and $40 million."

The effect of Miami pursuing Willis would be significant, particularly given Tagovailoa’s massive contract signed in 2024. Moving on would signal a philosophical shift for a franchise that invested heavily in offensive continuity. For Willis, the opportunity would represent a dramatic career turnaround, going from a developmental backup to a projected starter in a quarterback-starved market.

Zooming out, Willis’ numbers in Green Bay are difficult to ignore. Over limited action, he threw the ball well, while adding mobility that stresses defenses both inside and outside the pocket. In a league where quarterback supply rarely meets demand, teams often bet on upside and efficiency in small samples, particularly when the draft class lacks clear franchise options. A Fields-type contract projection reflects both the risk and the intrigue surrounding his profile.

Looking ahead, Miami’s offseason will hinge on its quarterback direction before training camp opens later this summer. If the Dolphins pivot to Willis, it would instantly become one of the league’s most scrutinized storylines entering Week 1 of the 2026 season, a year that could redefine both his career trajectory and the franchise’s long-term plans under center.