This offseason comes after a troubling sequence for Tua Tagovailoa. Despite a Pro Bowl season in 2023 and a four-year, $212.4 million extension, Tagovailoa has been benched this season, and Miami is widely expected to move on. The extension effectively locked the team in through 2026, and the executives who signed it have since been fired, making a potential release a scenario with significant dead-money implications.
Willis’s background makes him an appealing fit for the Dolphins’ plan. A former Titans third-round pick, Willis moved on after limited time in Tennessee and was with the Packers for two seasons, showing the dual-threat traits that attracted scouts in the draft. He started three games for the Packers, displaying mobility and arm strength that could intrigue Miami’s new quarterback evaluators.
The Dolphins’ front office has a clear Packers connection. Hafley served as the Packers’ defensive coordinator, and Jon-Eric Sullivan was Packers VP of player personnel, both involved in Willis’s evaluation era. Hafley’s recent media appearance hinted at a confidential quarterback plan, which Clancy interpreted as a signal that Willis could be the preferred target for Miami.
Market dynamics add caution to the hype. High-upside quarterbacks rarely hit free agency in favorable terms, and Willis could be compelled to match or exceed other teams’ bids. The article also notes historical parallels, including past Miami interest in Packers quarterbacks and the Flynn-era echoes when a former Packers coordinator connected the Dolphins with a quarterback option.
Ultimately, the Chiefs are in the quarterback business again, with Malik Willis emerging as the leading candidate per insiders. While the outcome remains uncertain, the Dolphins are positioning to upgrade their signal-caller for the 2026 season, and more offseason developments are expected as the market unfolds. This summary draws from Heavy Sports’ reporting on the situation.
