The Miami Dolphins announced on Mar. 12 the signing of quarterback Malik Willis, marking their first major move of the free agency period. Willis, who was originally drafted by Tennessee in the third round in 2022, most recently played for Green Bay after being traded ahead of the 2024 season.
Willis brings notable physical abilities to Miami’s quarterback group. Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur said, “He can make any throw on the planet. I’d put him up against anybody.” LaFleur has previously coached quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love. Willis set a Senior Bowl record with a throw measured at an initial velocity of 75.7 miles per hour, a mark that remains unbeaten.
Despite limited playing time—six starts and 155 passes over four years—Willis made an immediate impact with Green Bay. He joined the team just days before their season opener and quickly adapted to a new playbook. In his starting debut against Indianapolis, he posted a passer rating of 126.8, completed nearly 86 percent of his passes, threw a touchdown, and rushed for 41 yards. After that game, LaFleur said, “I don’t think you guys can appreciate, or even comprehend, the task that Malik Willis [had] — I mean, this guy got here three weeks ago…for him to be able to go out there and do what he did today, I think that speaks volumes of who he is as a person and the work that he’s put in. Just super proud of him…just really happy and proud of our football team.”
Willis continued to deliver strong performances throughout his time with Green Bay. In Week 3 of the 2024 season against Tennessee, he threw for over 200 yards and added another 73 rushing yards with a passer rating above 120. His cumulative statistics with the Packers include nine total touchdowns (six passing and three rushing), no interceptions, nearly one thousand passing yards at an average of almost eleven yards per attempt, and more than nine yards per rush attempt.
Advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus show that Willis led all NFL quarterbacks in forced missed tackles per rush attempt (26 percent) and ranked among league leaders in on-target throws across various distances.
As Willis joins Miami’s roster, observers will watch how his athleticism and efficiency translate into opportunities for the Dolphins’ offense.
