When Malik Willis was signed by our Miami Dolphins in this year’s free agency cycle, the fair assumption was/is that he is the starter for the team’s 2026-2027 season. There is also a widely held point of view among fans and the NFL media types that while the Dolphins hope that Willis will show out this coming season, thus presenting himself as the long-term answer at starting quarterback, the team will still likely or at least possibly use what is assumed to be a high pick next year, on a top first-round
quarterback.
With that in mind, I asked the following question this past week:
In your opinion, what does Malik Willis need to do this coming season to convince you, as a Miami Dolphins fan, that he is the answer at starting quarterback going forward, and that there is no need to consider a quarterback in next year’s draft even if the team winds up with a top-5 pick?
Below are some of your thoughts and answers-
davidson11 says he’s not the guy.
Willis is not an NFL starter. It’s why the Dolphins got him for lower-than-expected money. No one else wanted him. There was no bidding war. Teams know that the 2027 draft is where you get your QB.
The average NFL starting QB makes $32 million/year. This number is brought down by young QBs on rookie deals. For example, Drake Maye’s base salary next year is only $1 million.
Consider that ALL big name free agents are OVERPAID. $22 million is a lot to us. It’s bum money for an NFL QB in free agency.
Dolphins doing a great job of tanking while convincing fans they’re not tanking.
FinsMan86 just wants him to outplay Tua, even without all the weapons, this coming season.
Don’t be Tua. Tua had more to work with, so if he can outshine our former QB with hardly any help… then I’ll be satisfied with that for this coming season.
bringbackthewhalers says he’s capable of taking the job if the OL holds up and the running game is solid to great.
I think his best chance to be our long term QB is for us to get the run game humming. That means he’ll need to make the necessary adjustments at the line, make his legs a weapon and then make smart throws when needed to keep the chains moving. Take the occasional shot downfield to keep the safeties honest. I think he’s more than capable of this if the OL can step up.
Dave21 says that he needs to do such a good job that Miami uses their top pick next year on anything but a QB.
Hmmmm , safe bet …. Make yourself not available for trade next season. Make the Phins use their number 1 pick on anything else other than QB. Show Miami fans something different than your last 2 stops that made you available.
TheRoo1 has a solid 3-point plan for him to succeed.
What does he have to do?
1, survive the season, physically intact.
2. Show poise and awareness of his surroundings, and what his abilities are within that framework..
3 Demonstrate the ability to take control of the huddle and lead.
MiamiItaliano gave us some baseline stats he should aim to meet if he’s hoping to hold the job long term.
30 total TDs, less than 10 picks, 600 rushing yards, 65% completion. Should be achievable.
Phoenix6 says that if he reaches his potential, he’ll be a bargain for the team, at least in the short term.
What does Malik Willis need to do this coming season?
Malik has some real power.
Coach Hafley knows what he’s got in Malik.
Said he was the scout team QB.
That he communicated with him more than he communicated with Jordan.
Said he’s competitive, tough, he can throw a fast hard ball.
That he’s accurate; really accurate down the field.
Said he’s really athletic, strong, can make plays with his feet
That when he breaks the pocket, he’s really accurate.
I’m with Coach Haf…
Is he the answer as the starting QB going forward?
Prior to his signing with the Dolphins 🐬, NFL Network analyst Gregg Rosenthal ranked him as the top free agent in the NFL.
QUOTE:
“I see him as the most dynamic QB in football as a runner, & his tape in Green Bay showed incredible growth as a passer over his two years with Matt LaFleur. Despite his limited sample size, Willis jumped to the top spot of this ranking based on the same logic that applies to the NFL draft:
If a potential franchise QB is good enough to be ranked in the top five of a list like this, then he should be placed first, by virtue of the position. The ceiling is the roof.”
I agree with Gregg…
Will the team need to consider a QB in the next draft even if the team winds up with a top five pick?
If Willis reaches the potential envisioned for him, his contract will be a bargain.
Miami will have their solution at the most important position. The Dolphins 🐬 won’t be selecting in the top five.
They will still select a QB though, for youth & value…
David7777 just wants him to avoid getting concussed.
Don’t allow a 350lb guy named Tupou to slam your head into the ground.
sdphinsfan says don’t screw it up and stick to your core quarterbacking principles.
His evaluation isn’t in a bubble. It starts up front, whether he’s the guy or it ends up being somebody else. That’s why they prioritized Proctor, whether we agree or not. But for him to be the guy, it’s simple. Quality production. Show command of the Offense and the maturity to manage the game and let it come to him. Take care of the ball. When they guaranteed him $45M, they said to a degree that it’s his job. To be the guy going forward, don’t screw it up.
Bill Moody just wants him to score more touchdowns than he has turnovers.
I’ll keep it really simple for year one. More TD’s than Turnovers. Its not a high bar, but few QB’s we’ve had since 2000 have met that bar.
Jptapt says it won’t matter if they have a top-5 pick next year. In that case, Willis will certainly have real competition.
If they have a top 5 pick next year, they are picking a QB no matter what. Nothing he can do to stop that, in my opinion. All he can do is stay healthy and perform better than Ewers if he wants to be the starter.
dedstrk says just don’t be like the last guy.
It’s pretty simple to me. Don’t be Tua. That encompasses a lot of things that we have all discussed over the years.
Molly Polly II is another with a solid 3-point plan who says if Dilfer can do it, so can Malik.
If Trent Dilfer can be a NFL starter and win a SB ring, so can Willis. Yeah I got it, our defense is not the same but who cares, the man deserves and hopefully earns our support.
1) know and take COMMAND of the offense
2) be confident in your passing game
3) don’t force it, turnovers will kill us!
If anyone can relate, it sounds almost like BE, KNOW, DO!🐬🏈🐬🏈🐬🏈
finfanfromsiam says lead, show efficiency at the position, and make the plays when needed.
Run the offense efficiently, 2.35/1 TD to int minimal fumbles, leader of the offense, make plays.
Dolfanjoe says play well, run when needed, and show improvement along the way, while hoping that the QB of the decade is not just sitting there for the Dolphins when they pick next year.
What can he do ? Play well, show improvement all year long. Run the ball when needed, especially for that 2 yard first down ! 12 wins and no one would replace him ! But we know that is not going to happen. So back to what he can do ? Not a dam thing if Sullivan thinks with that top 3 pick in the 27 draft, there sits a once in a lifetime talent at the QB position. As is though, it is apparent that both our head Coach and GM do have faith in the talent of this QB. If we have a top 3 pick in next years draft, we won the lotto in trade value. Being able to build around Willis quickly may be what this franchise needs more than another rookie QB ! But no, until the 27 draft comes into play there is little he can do with this rebuilding team to prove much to Fan’s facing a losing season !
Well, that’s our random 15 comments for this evening. If you missed the original post and would like to check out the full discussion, you can find it HERE. There was no solid consensus, with some believing that if he plays well enough, it’s then his gig. Others believe that with a top pick in 2027, they are going to take a QB no matter what. I, for one, hope that he somehow shows out to the point that the most optimistic among us is wrong. While I don’t necessarily expect that to happen, this team and especially this fan base deserve a lucky surprise at that position. As always, thank you to each of you who took the time to join us and answer our Phinsider Question Of The Day.
