The 2026 NFL Combine took place over the weekend, and instead of watching future stars run around in their underwear, I spent the week in Orlando at the most magical place on earth. Yes, that last part can certainly be debated.
I drove the family from Pennsylvania to Orlando and back again, and in the process, didn’t miss too much on the NFL front.
That is, except for all the exceptional combine performances and a week’s worth of rumors surfacing days before the league’s tampering period is set to
begin.
One of those rumors involves a player many Dolphins fans are hoping could land in South Florida.
Clearly, I’m talking about Packers free agent quarterback, Malik Willis, who is about to get #PAID in the coming days. Miami has been a rumored destination since the team plucked general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley from Green Bay.
In his latest article, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, along with other NFL analysts, breaks down some of the things they were hearing at the combine. And Fowler had a lot to say about Willis and his potential destinations.
Here’s what Fowler wrote:::
“Willis’ market has been a prominent topic this week. But a team offering him $30-plus million per year doesn’t appear realistic. Many front offices believe the more accurate comp is Justin Fields‘ deal with the Jets last year (two years, $40 million). Could that jump up due to cap inflation and/or multiple suitors? Sure. A range of $20-25 million annually is certainly a good starting point. But Willis hitting the $30 million threshold as a player with six career starts would surprise some of the teams at the combine.
Expect at least two and possibly several teams to be involved on Willis. “Miami is definitely in,” a source said. Arizona is combing the market, too, but it doesn’t seem likely that Willis will end up in Cleveland.
Multiple offensive coaches said Willis has the chance to be the league’s best rushing quarterback and that he has the power in his legs and arm to drive the ball to all parts of the field. “The issue will be that you simply can’t run your whole offense with him,” one prominent offensive coach said. “He’s not ready to handle that. So, whether he can sustain a full season will be a question. But he’s got a lot of ability and terrific character.””
The good news here is that Willis may not get the enormous contract some have predicted, with teams continuing to view Justin Fields’ contract a year ago with the New York Jets as the realistic range. Is that something Miami’s decision-makers are willing to do? More importantly, is Miami the place Willis wants to call home, with a rebuild on the horizon?
At just 26 years old, Willis has the potential to become the guy for his new team.
That team could be the Dolphins, but not without a fight!
What are your thoughts on the Dolphins’ continued interest in Malik Willis? Do you think Miami is the right fit? How do you feel about him being a potential bridge quarterback to the future — if and when the Dolphins find their guy? Let us know in the comments section below!
