Malik Willis quarterback Green Bay Packers
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 27: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field on December 27, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins look like they are moving off quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to start the Jon-Eric Sullivan/Jeff Hafley reign in South Florida.
Tua has already stated that he would be amenable to a fresh start elsewhere in 2026, whilst Jon-Eric Sullivan noted “everything is on the table” when it comes to the former fifth overall pick.
“The easiest way to answer that is everything’s on the table. It could go a lot of different ways. A trade is a possibility. Tua is aware. His representation is aware.” Sullivan said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday.
Many options have been touted as Tagovailoa replacements, including Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith. However, the most appealing option – certainly within the bounds of free agency – is that of Green Bay Packers backup QB Malik Willis.
Malik Willis Should Be Miami’s Top Quarterback Option
Willis has been excellent in the four games during which he has played the majority of the offensive snaps since arriving from the Tennessee Titans via trade in August 2024, for the price of a seventh round draft pick.
As such, it was always expected that he was going to get a well-compensated deal this spring. However, Jordan Schultz reported on Wednesday that he will almost certainly receive a minimum of $30 million per year.
Jordan Schultz
#Packers free agent QB Malik Willis is in demand, as expected, and interested teams I’ve spoken to at the Combine in Indianapolis believe him getting at least $30M per year is a foregone conclusion.
“Packers free agent QB Malik Willis is in demand, as expected, and interested teams I’ve spoken to at the Combine in Indianapolis believe him getting at least $30M per year is a foregone conclusion.” Schultz posted on X.
Will The Dolphins Be Able to Afford Malik Willis?
If Miami is able to find a way to trade Tagovailoa, that possibility is not off the table. The ex-NCAA National Champion is due to account for a $56 million cap hit in 2026 if he remains on the roster.
By trading him, the Dolphins save $11 million, incurring a $45 million dead cap hit. To pay Willis a subsequent $30 million per year, with perhaps only $15 million of it ending up on the books in 2026 would be fairly reasonable.
However, any team that agrees to trade for Tua inherits his current deal, giving them a $55 million cap hit with $54 million of that money guaranteed.
It would seem inconceivable that an NFL franchise would not only be willing to pay Tagovailoa, who has suffered with both inconsistent form and injuries over the course of his career, that amount of money – and additionally give up draft capital in the coming years.
And – as seems most likely – they are unable to find a trade partner, the Dolphins will need to release him. In doing so they either leave themselves with $99 million in dead cap in 2026, or they spread out the damage by cutting him with a post-June 1st designation, giving them a dead cap hit of $67 million in 2026 and $32 million in 2027.
Whichever release designation they choose, doing so would pretty much close the door on Willis, if he is indeed set to receive $30 million per year in his next NFL contract.