Malik Willis, Packers
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Packers quarterback Malik Willis
The Green Bay Packers had one of the top free agents entering the offseason in quarterback Malik Willis. And it certainly didn’t take him too long to find his new home with the Miami Dolphins.
The question now, though, is Willis regretting his decision?
Moving to South Florida comes with its distinct advantages. The beaches, the sunshine — and for Willis a brand new, three-year, $67.5 million deal with $45 million guaranteed.
Something that’s not guaranteed now for Willis, though, is winning. And that looks to be even more true now that the Dolphins traded away one of his best weapons in wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Adam Schefter
Broncos are trading for Miami WR Jaylen Waddle, per source.
Denver receives: Waddle and Dolphins’ 4th-round pick (11th in round) in this year’s draft.
Miami receives: Broncos’ 1st round pick (30th overall) along with their late 3rd and 4th round picks (30th in each round) in
Dolphins’ Direction Raises Questions After Jaylen Waddle Trade
Leaving Green Bay was something that Willis had to do if he wanted to advance his career. And he had to know that wherever he may have gone, there were going to be challenges. But after the trade of Waddle, it appears the team is setting him up to fail.
Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema admitted the timeline itself is puzzling, even if there is some logic behind it.
“After the Dolphins tanked their roster last week I was confused about the Malik Willis signing, but I think the timeline does make sense even with the Waddle trade,” Sikkema wrote. “Hafley surely wanted a QB he had familiarity with for many reasons as a first-time HC. Willis signed with barely any guarantees and money due in year one while MIA eats all their dead cap. They have to keep Willis for 2027 because that’s where all the money is, but the idea is that they want to ideally do that anyways so the QB they get next draft won’t have to start right away. Willis is easily expendable in 2028.”
In other words, Willis may not be the long-term answer — just a bridge.
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco was even more blunt about the situation, questioning the entire approach after Miami moved one of its top playmakers.
“Dolphins got a nice return for Waddle and tank is in full force, but why sign Willis?” Prisco wrote.
That question alone says a lot about how the move is being viewed. If the Dolphins are indeed entering a full rebuild, then Willis may have signed into a situation where immediate success was never part of the plan.
Malik Willis May Be Leading Dolphins Through Rebuild Year
There are, however, some that believe Willis’ presence still serves a purpose — even if wins don’t follow.
NFL insider Jonathan Jones pointed to Willis’ leadership as a key factor in what could be a long year in Miami.
“Malik Willis is a true leader. This is probably going to be a long season for the Dolphins, but they have a QB with broad shoulders. That will be crucial as the season wears on,” Jones wrote.
From a roster-building standpoint, the bigger picture is becoming clearer.
Packers Wire’s Zach Kruse noted the Dolphins are loaded with draft capital after recent moves, positioning themselves well for a long-term reset.
“Dolphins are going to have two first-round picks and seven picks in the top 100. Jon-Eric Sullivan will get to flex his draft muscle right away in Miami,” Kruse wrote. “Year 1 of a rebuild for Dolphins, who come to Lambeau Field in 2026.”
Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti suggested Miami is essentially treating Willis like a drafted quarterback rather than a traditional free-agent signing.
“Now make $45M fully guaranteed for Malik Willis make sense,” Ginnitti wrote. “The only reasonable explanation is that Miami is treating the Malik Willis free agent signing as if they were drafting a rookie QB. The roster needs to be constructed from the ground up, but they saw an opportunity to get ‘their guy’, and are now adding draft assets around him as quickly as possible.”
All of that points to one reality — Willis may have gotten his opportunity, but it likely won’t come with immediate results.