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Malik Willis signs lucrative deal to become Dolphins' new starting QB

Mar 9, 2026, 1:00 AM50
(Update: Mar 10, 2026, 4:19 PM)
American football quarterback
city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States

Malik Willis signs lucrative deal to become Dolphins' new starting QB

  • Malik Willis is joining the Miami Dolphins after spending two years as a backup with the Green Bay Packers.
  • He signed a three-year deal worth $67.5 million, including $45 million guaranteed.
  • The Dolphins view this signing as a fresh start following the release of former quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
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Story

In a significant move within the NFL, former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis has agreed to join the Miami Dolphins, marking a new chapter in his career. This decision comes on March 9, 2026, the day following the Dolphins' release of their former starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, after five seasons with the franchise. Willis' contract is a substantial three-year deal worth $67.5 million, which includes $45 million guaranteed. This agreement highlights Miami's intent to restructure their leadership under new head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, both of whom have a prior connection with Willis from their time in Green Bay. Malik Willis demonstrated his potential during his limited playing time with the Packers, completing 78 percent of his passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns without any interceptions over three starts in two seasons. His ability to adapt and perform under pressure was exhibited in Week 17 when he filled in for an injured Jordan Love, completing 18-of-21 passes for 288 yards, one touchdown, and adding two rushing touchdowns. These impressive performances solidified his status as a top option among free-agent quarterbacks this season. The Dolphins, having recently restructured their team dynamics and objectives, view Willis as a promising fit for their new direction. The recent departure of Tagovailoa and the reliability of Willis as a starting quarterback provides Miami with a fresh opportunity to refocus their strategy, especially considering the upcoming draft where quarterback talent is relatively limited. The move has met with mixed reactions, including criticism from some analysts regarding the risk of signing a quarterback with an unproven track record. Willis himself expressed excitement about joining the Dolphins, stating his eagerness to work closely with Hafley and Sullivan. He emphasized the importance of stability, mentioning that being familiar with a system for more than a year would be advantageous for his development. With expectations surrounding the team in flux, Willis's signing is viewed as a decisive step forward, as he aims to leverage his previous experiences into success with Miami, setting the stage for potential growth and achievement in the coming seasons.

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