Malik Willis
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Malik Willis
The Miami Dolphins have a new quarterback at the helm and he could not be more familiar with the new regime. After a multiple number of rumors surfaced about Malik Willis going to the Dolphins, it finally came to be as he reunited with Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan.
After the signing, many pundits reacted in a number of ways. Some were a little bit puzzled by the move and especially the contract. Others thought it was a bad move for someone who hadn’t really started all that much in the NFL. However, there was one glowing review from Rich Eisen that should give Dolphins fans hope.
Rich Eisen gives Dolphins move a strong endorsement
While live on the air for The Rich Eisen Show, he received the news around noon and proceeded to wax poetical about Willis for five minutes, much more than he usually gives breaking news segments.
“I love it, love it. I think this is so awesome. I absolutely love it for the Miami Dolphins. Bet on the kid who went to Liberty, went to Tennessee, didn’t get the time. Didn’t get much of a clue. Went to Green Bay and was totally born again”, Eisen said of the Dolphins’ move for Willis. While it certainly is a big bet and huge risk, the people involved at the very least know who they are working with.
Ever since their arrival in Miami, Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan have been singing the praises of their former quarterback. Now that they are reunited, there is no reason to believe that they don’t believe in Willis. In fact, Sullivan went so far as to say that ” any team in a quarterback-needy situation that tells you they’re not talking about Malik Willis, that would be a lie.”
Dolphins land Willis on a surprisingly affordable contract
While he ended up with the Dolphins after all, Willis certainly was a hot commodity for teams in free agency. For someone who has only thrown 155 career passes with two teams, a 30 million dollar deal was being discussed in order to acquire him. That’s why it was surprising that not only were the Dolphins able to acquire him, but also get him on a significantly cheaper deal only worth 22.5 million dollars.
The fact that the Dolphins were able to release Tua and then sign Willis on a deal that would not have as much impact cap hit wise is remarkable. Pundits such as Eisen may be much more optimistic than others, but for that kind of deal, the Dolphins would look like heroes if it all works out.
Most importantly, Willis is going to a place where the infrastructure is set up perfectly for him to succeed. He has his former defensive coordinator as his coach, his former GM, and most impressively, the GM who drafted him working in the front office. Of course, this experiment will only go as far as he is able to take it, but for many, it may be worth the risk.
For better or worse, the Malik Willis era is fully underway in Miami.