Dolphins QB Malik Willis must prove he's worth big contract

Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Dolphins QB Malik Willis must prove he's worth big contract after De'Von Achane injury update

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Sep 27, 2026 6:43 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins hoped running back De'Von Achane would be their biggest playmaker this season, but that responsibility now falls to quarterback Malik Willis.

Achane ran for 17 yards on three carries before suffering a knee injury in the first quarter of a 24-10 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and didn't return. Dolphins rookie head coach Jeff Hafley indicated the RB suffered a major knee injury.

"To be honest with you, it does not sound optimistic," the coach said postgame, via NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

The Dolphins were planning to lean heavily on Achane this season to take pressure off Willis. Hafley said they were planning to give the RB 40-45 touches a game. Now that it appears he'll miss some time, Willis must show why the Dolphins signed him to a three-year, $67.5M contract this offseason.

#Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley sounds like the fear is a major injury knee for star RB De’Von Achane: “To be honest with you, it does not sound optimistic.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 27, 2026

Malik Willis must begin playing like a franchise QB for Dolphins

The Dolphins gave Willis, 27, a monster deal, despite his inexperience. The 2022 third-round pick has started nine regular-season games in his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers and Dolphins. For perspective, fellow fifth-year QB Brock Purdy has started 48 regular-season games in five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

That said, Willis' grace period will end soon. When it does, he must prove he is the face of the franchise for the Dolphins. Through his first three games with Miami, he has shown glimpses of being a solid starter, but not enough.

During this span, he has gone 49-of-86 passing for 627 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, posting a below-average 74.1 passer rating. He has also rushed for 101 yards and one TD on 17 carries.

The Dolphins need those numbers to improve fast. Without Achane, the ground attack is set to decline. Against the Chiefs, backup RB Ollie Gordon II ran for 41 yards on 17 carries (2.4 yards per carry, well below league average). Fellow RB Jaylen Wright, meanwhile, is battling a foot issue and has rushed for 10 yards on three carries in two games.

The run game should begin faltering without Achane. If it does, Willis will have to throw more. That would give the Dolphins a better idea of whether Willis' salary is justified.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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