Seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers started the final three games of the season, and his progress has drawn attention from the coaching staff. New offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik praised how Ewers worked on the scout team, refined pocket presence, and advanced through progressions and reads, describing his performance as a solid starting point for a young quarterback. Slowik noted the complexity of the role, including operation, motions, and snap points, and said Ewers “knocked that stuff out of the park.”
A new possibility has emerged in free agency: Malik Willis. Miami’s new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, and head coach Jeff Hafley have ties to Willis through Green Bay, fueling speculation about a potential pursuit. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler linked the Dolphins and Cardinals as teams that could pursue Willis if they find takers for their current quarterbacks. The Cardinals’ situation with Kyler Murray mirrors Miami’s, while Fowler suggested Cleveland may have eyed Willis, though new Browns coach Todd Monken could instead build around Shedeur Sanders.
cap space realities complicate Willis’ market. The Dolphins currently sit with the fourth-least cap space in the NFL, while Arizona is projected to have more than $40 million available. The Dolphins could create room by releasing Tyreek Hill and deciding how to handle Bradley Chubb and Tua Tagovailoa, and a backloaded Willis contract is one conceivable strategy to ease the 2026 burden.
The dynamic around Willis remains uncertain, with the market and team-specific factors shaping the landscape. Miami could pivot toward internal development with Ewers, pursue Willis as a bridge or long-term option, or explore other avenues in free agency or via trades. Regardless, the 2026 quarterback plan for the Dolphins is still taking shape as the team navigates cap constraints and a shifting quarterback market.
In sum, the Dolphins face a pivotal offseason to determine their 2026 starter, balancing internal development from Ewers with potential external options like Malik Willis, all while managing cap space and strategic decisions on current contracts. Further moves will clarify Miami’s path at quarterback for the next era.
