According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Malik Willis is among the quarterbacks to watch this offseason, with the Cardinals and the Miami Dolphins identified as potential suitors. Fowler notes the ties are meaningful: Hafley’s connection to Willis through Green Bay, and Mike LaFleur’s knowledge of Willis via his brother Matt, could give both teams a strategic edge in pursuing him, despite the large guarantees attached to Murray and Tua Tagovailoa.
Willis, a former third-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 out of Liberty, brings a notable dual-threat profile. He rushed for 1,822 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns in college and showed legitimate rushing and deep-ball upside. His NFL start depth, however, has been limited: he started three games for Tennessee in 2022, posting 276 passing yards with zero touchdowns and three interceptions, while adding 123 rushing yards and a rushing TD.
In 2023 Willis did not start a game for Tennessee, later being traded to the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick. With the Packers, he backed up Jordan Love and got a chance to start briefly when Love was sidelined.
During his three starts for Green Bay, Willis went 2-1, throwing six touchdowns with no interceptions and adding three rushing scores. That performance showcased his potential to run a pro-style offense while maintaining upside as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, a blend many teams covet.
Would Willis fit with the Cardinals? If he hits the open market, he would be a high-priority signal-caller for a team seeking stability at quarterback. The NFL’s demand for a dual-threat quarterback, combined with Willis’s demonstrated accuracy on deep throws and ability to extend plays, makes him an intriguing option for Arizona as it weighs 2026 starting plans. While LaFleur’s staff comes together, Willis is positioned as a strong candidate to start somewhere in 2026, and the Cardinals would be wise to at least explore the possibility.
This overview reflects reporting from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and analysis drawn from Willis’s recent NFL path, as summarized by Heavy Sports.
