Dolphins' Jeff Hafley seems to refute interesting Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers report

An update shared ahead of this past weekend suggested that Miami Dolphins backup quarterback and 2025 seventh-round draft pick Quinn Ewers had "outperformed" free-agency signing and presumed starter Malik Willis during some springtime practice sessions open to media members. 

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, first-year Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley made it known he's not concerned about Willis ahead of the team's summer break.

Jeff Hafley impressed by how Malik Willis has performed this spring

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Hafley said on Tuesday that Willis has "looked as good as he’s looked since I’ve known him." 

Hafley was the Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator when Willis was with the NFC North club over the past two seasons. 

"The conversation I had with Malik today, walking down the hallway, you can see he’s more comfortable," Hafley added. "He understands the answers being provided for him on each play." 

Despite what was said back in March, there hasn't been any real indication that Willis will have to "win" the starting job over Ewers this coming summer. That's understandable, as the Dolphins signed Willis to a three-year, $67.5M contract with $45M of the deal fully guaranteed early into free agency. 

However, it's unclear how strong Willis' hold on the QB1 gig is amid Miami's final week of offseason practices. The 2022 third-round draft pick has made just six career regular-season starts, so it's not a stretch to say that he hasn't yet earned much more with his performances than a spot on the roster.

Meanwhile, ESPN's Dan Graziano noted on Tuesday that the Dolphins are responsible for "a receiver group with some talent and promise but very little proven production."

Both Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers did this during springtime workouts

Hafley added that Ewers "has gotten better" throughout the spring. That said, Hafley also noted that Ewers and Willis have "taken more command of the huddle." 

"I’ve seen the confidence grow," Hafley said about the two quarterbacks. 

Logic suggests Hafley hopes that confidence results in Willis looking like the better of the two signal-callers during preseason games. It remains to be seen how Hafley and Co. will react if that isn't the case and Ewers outperforms Willis throughout August.