NFL executive says Dolphins should have made extreme Tua Tagovailoa move over signing Malik Willis

Back in February, it was said that the new Miami Dolphins regime could take the full $99.2M cap charge this year related to moving on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. 

The Dolphins instead spread those cap hits over the next two seasons, and the club later signed former Green Bay Packers backup Malik Willis. Willis reportedly will "have to earn" the Miami starting job over 2025 seventh-round draft pick Quinn Ewers later this summer. 

During a recent chat with Mike Sando of The Athletic, one unnamed NFL executive shared why he thinks the Dolphins handled their quarterback situation poorly this offseason. 

Would "tanking" be better for the Dolphins than having Malik Willis?

"They should not have signed Malik Willis," the executive said about the Dolphins. "They should have taken the full Tua cap charge in one season. They should have gone with Quinn Ewers and just played out the season."

Ewers is on an inexpensive rookie contract, and he either could have become a revelation as Miami's first-choice option or basically could have helped the team "tank" with the 2027 NFL Draft in mind. That said, some think the 2026 Dolphins are going to struggle to field a competitive team even if Willis stays in the lineup through Week 18. 

Will Malik Willis be a flop for the Dolphins?

Willis played well for the Packers in two December appearances this past season, but the 2022 third-round draft pick has only started six total regular-season games as a pro. A different executive suggested that the Dolphins may soon regret the three-year, $67.5M contract they gave Willis in March. 

"You should know enough about Willis to know many of his throws were flareouts and simple stuff," that executive explained. "So, unless you plan on running an offense like that, what are you doing? And then I don’t think they got enough for [wide receiver Jaylen Waddle]. They got the equivalent of the 25th pick in the draft. It should have been a lot more."

Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has no reason to admit it, but he seemingly is banking on the 2027 quarterback draft class being as good as advertised. Discussions about whether or not that's the case can be punted down the road for after Miami experiences what likely will be a tough season for many involved.