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It may not come as a surprise, but Miami has already decided who will lead the offense in 2026 following the collapse of Tua Tagovailoa, who is expected to be released in the coming days. The new leader of the offense will be Malik Willis, a former player for the Tennessee Titans and the Green Bay Packers, who signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract, including $45 million fully guaranteed.
Willis was one of the favorites to land in Miami during free agency, especially after Jeff Hafley, who previously worked with him in Green Bay, became the 12th head coach in franchise history, replacing Mike McDaniel. Because of that connection, Willis is considered a quarterback that Hafley fully trusts.
That does not necessarily mean Willis is the long-term solution, but during his time as the backup to Jordan Love in Green Bay, he showed some promising flashes when given the opportunity. Still, his experience remains limited: over the last two seasons he appeared in 11 games with three starts, posting a 2-1 record, along with 972 passing yards and six touchdowns.
Who is the biggest loser from Willis' arrival?
At first glance, many might think the Dolphins are the biggest losers after investing heavily in Tagovailoa in 2024. By releasing him at the start of free agency, Miami will have to absorb nearly $99 million in dead money against the salary cap, a massive financial hit.
However, that situation had been building for some time. In reality, the biggest loser from Willis' arrival could be Quinn Ewers. The young quarterback had hopes of taking control of the offense next season, but with Willis now expected to start in Week 1, Ewers will likely return to a backup role entering just his second season in the NFL.
When Tagovailoa was benched, Mike McDaniel gave Ewers the opportunity to make his NFL debut. The rookie started the final three games of the season for Miami, throwing for 622 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Now he will once again have to compete for opportunities and stay ready for whenever the team needs him.
Even so, Willis is far from a guaranteed solution. While he showed flashes during his time with the Packers, this will be his first real opportunity as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Additionally, the massive financial hit from Tagovailoa's departure could make it difficult for Miami to surround Willis with enough talent.
It appears that challenging times could once again be ahead for one of Florida's most unstable NFL franchises.