The Miami Dolphins have officially turned the page at quarterback by signing Malik Willis in free agency just hours after announcing the release of longtime starter Tua Tagovailoa. According to reports, Willis agreed to a three-year deal worth $67.5 million, making him the centerpiece of Miami’s new offensive direction under general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley.
The signing marks the start of a completely new era in Miami. Tagovailoa had been the team’s starting quarterback for more than five seasons, but his departure leaves the Dolphins with an NFL-record $99.2 million dead cap hit. Despite the financial blow, Miami clearly felt the need to move forward with a different type of quarterback, and Willis provides a much different skill set than the pocket-passing Tagovailoa.
Willis, 26, enters Miami after spending the past two seasons with the Green Bay Packers as the backup to Jordan Love. While his overall career sample size remains small, the flashes he showed in Green Bay were impressive. Across his appearances with the Packers over the last two seasons, Willis completed 70 of 89 passes for 972 yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions. His efficiency was particularly notable during a late-season stretch when he completed 84.4% of his passes across two games while averaging 12.8 yards per attempt.
Originally drafted in the third round by the Tennessee Titans in 2022, Willis struggled early in his career while making three starts as a rookie. After being traded to Green Bay in 2024, however, the change of environment helped him develop both as a passer and decision-maker. The Dolphins are betting that growth continues as he transitions into a full-time starting role.
Miami’s new leadership is also familiar with Willis from their time in Green Bay. Both Sullivan and Hafley came from the Packers organization this offseason, making Willis a logical target as they reshape the Dolphins roster. His mobility and athleticism also fit the type of modern quarterback many teams are now prioritizing, especially as offenses continue to emphasize playmaking outside the pocket.
While Willis remains somewhat unproven as a full-season starter, his upside is clear. His ability to extend plays, create rushing production, and deliver explosive plays downfield gives Miami a quarterback with a much different profile than what the team previously had under center.
Malik Willis Fantasy Football Impact
Malik Willis immediately becomes one of the more intriguing fantasy football quarterbacks heading into the 2026 season because of his rushing upside. Mobile quarterbacks consistently provide a fantasy advantage, and Willis has already shown that ability in limited action. In his six career starts, he has averaged 44.8 rushing yards per game and has scored four rushing touchdowns. That type of production alone translates to roughly 8.5 fantasy points per game from rushing, which provides a strong baseline for fantasy production even before factoring in passing numbers.
During his time with the Packers, Willis also showed meaningful improvement as a passer. Across his appearances filling in for Jordan Love, he displayed strong efficiency and decision-making, completing passes at a high rate while avoiding turnovers. If that development continues in Miami, he could emerge as a legitimate dual-threat fantasy option.
However, the move to Miami presents a mixed outlook for the rest of the Dolphins’ offense from a fantasy perspective. Running quarterbacks historically attempt fewer passes and tend to scramble instead of checking the ball down, which could slightly lower the target volume for skill players. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle remains a talented option capable of producing big plays, while running back De’Von Achane is one of the league’s most dynamic receiving backs. But Willis’ playing style could limit overall passing volume compared to what Miami previously had with Tagovailoa.
At the same time, Willis’ rushing ability adds an entirely new element to the Dolphins’ offense. Designed quarterback runs, read-option concepts, and off-script plays could create explosive opportunities that were not previously part of the offense. That dynamic could ultimately boost Miami’s scoring potential even if the passing volume dips slightly.
From a fantasy football perspective, Willis projects as a high-upside QB2 with legitimate breakout potential if he secures the starting role for the entire season. Dual-threat quarterbacks consistently outperform expectations in fantasy formats, and Willis’ rushing ability alone gives him the potential to produce strong weekly numbers if Miami builds its offense around his strengths.
