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Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers
The Miami Dolphins are going through drastic changes after a forgettable 2025 NFL season in which the franchise finished 7-10, leading to the firing of head coach Mike McDaniel, the release of superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill, and an uncertain future for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
However, the Dolphins might have some intriguing options to explore, with the quarterback position a potential focus for new head coach Jeff Hafley and the team’s front office.
Dolphins Among 2 ‘Teams to Beat’ to Sign QB Malik Willis
GettyMalik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers
Perhaps the best and most realistic option for an upgrade at the quarterback position for the Dolphins is Malik Willis of the Green Bay Packers, who will hit NFL free agency.
According to Jason La Confora of Sports Boom, the Dolphins and Cleveland Browns could be the “teams to beat” for Willis’ services during the NFL offseason.
One general manager, whose team will be in the quarterback market at least to some degree, pointed to Cleveland and Miami as the teams to beat, and another general manager, less inclined to be seeking a new QB, identified that contact Justin Fields signed with the Jets a year ago as a likely template for what Willis can likely land on the open market.
“I hear the same thing you do, about Miami and Cleveland,” the GM said.
“It’s going to be close to the Fields deal. You’re looking at two years, $40M; $30M guaranteed. I think he’s better than Fields, by the way. I think he’ll be a better starter.”
The first order of business for the Dolphins’ brass will be figuring out the Tagovailoa situation in Miami, where it appears both sides want to part ways. The most recent update from Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is pretty telling, via Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.
Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said “everything is on the table” with QB Tua Tagovailoa
This has been communicated to Tua and his reps, who confirmed Tua plans to continue playing but didn’t outright express interest in doing so in Miami:
“They have not, in
As for Willis, he is coming off an impressive stretch with the Packers, filling in for Jordan Love and showing he’s more than capable of being an NFL starter, just needing the opportunity elsewhere, with the Dolphins possibly a good fit for a fresh start.
Dolphins Could Land Veteran QB Geno Smith
GettyGeno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders
After a successful stint with the Seattle Seahawks that resurrected his NFL career, veteran quarterback Geno Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders to reunite with Pete Carroll.
Unfortunately for Smith, nothing went right in Las Vegas, and now he faces an uncertain future once again, but there may be an opportunity with the Dolphins, according to Henry McKenna of FOX Sports.
“Smith’s tenure in Las Vegas was messy. And that’s being generous.” McKenna writes.
“But remember that — just the season prior — he was leading the league in passing yards for the Seattle Seahawks. He’s still a good player. He’s not the type of player who can exceed his circumstances. Miami is rebuilding, and the Dolphins aren’t exactly an exciting place to land. But Smith isn’t in an exciting place in his career either. So this marriage happens by necessity.”
It seems like everything is on the table for the Dolphins moving forward as they try to fix or patch the quarterback situation, and Smith is another of many potential options Miami can pursue.
Ryan Ward is a longtime credentialed writer covering the NBA and NFL. He has over 15 years of experience in the sports industry from writing, editing, social media management and podcasting. He has covered the Lakers and Raiders for Medium Large Sports, with a previous stint at ClutchPoints. Ward is a Los Angeles native from the United Kingdom, who now resides in Colorado.
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