The Miami Dolphins lost to the Cincinnati Bengals this past weekend, dropping them to 0-5 and sending them into their bye week with many questions to answer. The off week will focus on film and adjustments, with the coaching staff hoping to find a way for the team to start winning when they return in Week 7.
One of the biggest areas of concern coming out of the Bengals’ game is quarterback Malik Willis’s play. The Dolphins’ first-year starter has struggled with decision-making and does not seem to
see the field well enough. It has advanced to the point that head coach Jeff Hafley had to confirm there are no discussions about benching Willis, who signed as a free agent with Miami in the offseason.
South Florida Sun Sentinel writer David Furones was among the multiple reporters to analyze Hafley’s statement on Monday:
Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley shut down any idea of the team benching Malik Willis during the bye ahead of the Oct. 25 game at the New York Jets.
“We’ve played five games, and Malik is our quarterback,” Hafley said Monday afternoon as to why he won’t opt for a switch to backup Kyle McCord, whom the team traded for ahead of the season as Quinn Ewers, who was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, wasn’t cutting it in the preseason…
“Malik needs to be better, but that’s not the headline. We all need to be better,” Hafley said.
But he also noted he has seen moments of encouragement.
“There are signs of it,” he said. “There was flashes (Sunday) in that game, especially as I think about that two-minute drive at the end of the half and then some of the things he did at the end of the game where he just looked aggressive and comfortable.”
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No QB change for Dolphins after bye: ‘Malik (Willis) is our quarterback’ – David Furones, South Florida Sun Sentinel
The bye week and five-game losing streak to start the season will not lead to a Miami Dolphins change at quarterback.
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Malik Willis
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Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley says Malik Willis ‘is our quarterback’ – Joe Schad, The Palm Beach Post
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis and the offense need to be better, coach Jeff Hafley said the Monday after a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals to fall to 0-5.
Why Dolphins Coach Is Right in Squashing Idea of Benching Willis – Alain Poupart, Miami Dolphins on SI
Head coach Jeff Hafley has no plans to make a quarterback switch
Dolphins’ Hafley explains why he’s sticking with Willis and what must change – Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley indicated Monday that he’s not giving any consideration to replacing quarterback Malik Willis.
Miami Dolphins overreaction Monday: Consider benching Malik Willis? – Joe Schad, The Palm Beach Post
The Miami Dolphins are 0-5. Could they finish 0-17? Do they have historically bad special teams? Bench Malik Willis? It’s an Overreaction Monday.
Dolphins’ Willis worst QB by most statistical measures. Nuggets on each position – Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
Heading into the Bills-Rams game on Monday night, 19 NFL quarterbacks had started all five of their team’s games. By virtually any statistical measure, the Dolphins’ Malik Willis has been the worst of the 19.
Bengals vs. Dolphins recap
Miami Dolphins 2026 Week 5 Snap Counts Stories: Injuries Cause Shuffling – Alain Poupart, Miami Dolphins on SI
Dolphins needs and bye week
Miami Dolphins, now 0-5, could use a bye week. But will it matter? – Tom D’Angelo, The Palm Beach Post
Chop Robinson was so desperate to celebrate in a season where such moments have been rare, he got off the ground and started mimicking chopping wood as Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow lay there late in the fourth quarter wondering how the Miami Dolphins edge rusher arrived so quickly.
Dolphins hope bye week comes with fruitful ‘evaluation’ that can lead to wins – C. Isaiah Smalls II, Miami Herald
The Miami Dolphins are 0-5.
Miami’s minuscule margin for error will always be the problem – Omar Kelly, Miami Herald
It was one of those “Are you kidding me,” plays that we’ll probably remember for a lifetime, a candidate for catch of the year in the NFL.
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Miami Dolphins will not bench Malik Willis following off week – Marek Brave, The Phinsider
“Malik needs to be better.”
Fins Up, Fins Down | Winners and losers from Miami Dolphins week five defeat – Marek Brave, The Phinsider
Ollie Gordon II shines while Malik Willis struggles.
The Good, Bad & Ugly from the Miami Dolphins Week 5 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals – Marek Brave, The Phinsider
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