Mike Vrabel 'proud' of Malik Willis ahead of Patriots-Dolphins game

Long before Mike Vrabel began serving as the head coach of the New England Patriots, he was the Tennessee Titans' head coach when that organization grabbed quarterback Malik Willis in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Those two individuals will now be on opposite sides when Willis starts for the 1-5 Miami Dolphins against Vrabel's Patriots on Nov. 1. During his Monday news conference, Vrabel spoke about previously working with Willis.

Mike Vrabel hopes Malik Willis is "proud of himself" for earning deal with Dolphins

"Malik’s continued to develop, and that’s the thing that I’m proud of him for, and I know that he should be proud of himself to continue to battle and go to [the Green Bay Packers]," Vrabel said, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I try to stay in communication with him, tell him congrats and that I’m happy for him, and then he gets a deal in Miami."

Willis made just three starts for the Titans before they fired Vrabel in January 2024. While Willis later played well enough for Green Bay in two December 2025 appearances to receive a three-year, $67.5M contract with $45M of the deal fully guaranteed from the Dolphins, some thought last week that he could soon be benched. 

According to ESPN, Willis began Tuesday ranked 15th in the NFL among qualified players with a 63.7 adjusted QBR for the season. Pro Football Reference shows that he ended Week 7 ranked 28th in the league with a 77.1 passer rating. Over Miami's first six games of the campaign, Willis tallied four touchdown passes and four interceptions.

Mike Vrabel views Malik Willis as a "very talented" quarterback

"He’s very talented," Vrabel added about Willis. "He’s got a strong arm, can throw at different platforms. He’s a strong runner. I think he’s starting to see things a little quicker, a little clearer, just as he’s developed in the NFL."

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Patriots as 7.5-point road favorites over the Dolphins. One wonders whether the outcome of that game will impact Willis' status as Miami's QB1 beyond the first weekend of November.