The quarterback position for the Arizona Cardinals will look a little different in 2026 without Kyler Murray. But the team was in the running for a top free agent, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis.
What happened, though, was Willis ended up signing with the Miami Dolphins on a three-year, $67.5 million deal, with $45 million guaranteed. That leaves Arizona going with veteran Jacoby Brissett.
When Willis signed, he joined a team that looked salvageable — one that could potentially compete. But after the Dolphins traded top receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, his Miami future now looks far less promising.
Sure, the Dolphins have hitched their wagon to Willis, but at the cost of tanking? That’s certainly how it’s being perceived. And now, in retrospect, maybe Willis regrets not heading to the desert over the beach.
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Malik Willis’ Dolphins Decision Questioned After Jaylen Waddle Trade
The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen didn’t hold back when reacting to the situation following the Waddle trade.
“Feel bad for Malik Willis. His second chance to be a full-time starter will be in a full tear down. Wonder if the Dolphins expressed their plans to him before he signed,” Nguyen questioned.
If the Dolphins didn’t, then Willis could be questioning his entire situation in Miami. But if they did, it signals a bold strategy from both sides. It likely means one of two things — Willis is betting on himself, or he simply took the biggest deal available.
Locked On Cardinals’ Benjamin Garcia believes it was the latter.
“Malik Willis could’ve taken a little less money and worked with Mike LaFleur, Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr, Michael Wilson, Kendrick Bourne and a completely revamped offensive line,” Garcia posted on X. “But he chose a couple extra million a year in the short term. Terrible business decision.”
Early reports indicated that the Cardinals were a frontrunner for Willis and could have offered a deal in the range of two years, $60 million, according to NFL insider Gery Woelfel.
It appears the Arizona Cardinals have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Malik Willis, who performed quite well the last two seasons as Jordan Love’s backup in Green Bay.
New Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur is the younger brother of Packers HC Matt LaFleur.
Sources said the
For context, Willis earned just $5.3 million over his first four NFL seasons. His new deal averages roughly $22.5 million per year starting in 2026.
Cardinals Opportunity May Have Offered Better Long-Term Outlook
It’s now becoming clear just how different Willis’ situation might have been had he signed with Arizona.
As Garcia pointed out, the offensive infrastructure was already in place — an offensive-minded coach and emerging weapons — all of which could have set Willis up for success.
Instead, he now walks into a situation where the cupboard is nearly bare.
Not only is Waddle gone, but Tyreek Hill is also no longer in the picture after being released. That leaves Willis with a receiving group that includes recently signed Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert and Malik Washington.
That reality raises another concern — Willis may be viewed as nothing more than a bridge quarterback as Miami builds toward its future.
Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema reinforced that idea when breaking down the structure of Willis’ deal and Miami’s long-term outlook.
“Willis signed with barely any guarantees and money due in year one while MIA eats all their dead cap,” Sikkema said. “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.”
Perhaps if Willis had chosen Arizona, his role would have been more stable — and potentially more meaningful — with a better chance to compete right away.
Instead, he may find himself as a temporary solution on a team preparing for a complete reset.
Shane Shoemaker Shane Shoemaker is a sports journalist covering college football and the NFL for Heavy.com. His work has also appeared in The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, USA TODAY, and ClutchPoints, along with high school sports coverage for the Marion Tribune. More about Shane Shoemaker
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