Packers $40 million free agent predicted to leave Green Bay for Dolphins originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Dolphins have a major question mark at quarterback this offseason.
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After the Dolphins benched Tua Tagovailoa in 2025, there’s at least a decent chance he will be playing elsewhere in 2026. Quinn Ewers remains under contract, but the jury is still out on him and he’s far from guaranteed to start.
With a new regime in Miami, we would expect the Dolphins to have a new starting quarterback this coming season and Stadium Rant’s Cameron Willey predicts Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis will be the guy in South Beach.
«Malik Willis’ time with the Green Bay Packers might have set him up for a golden opportunity. When he played in relief of Jordan Love, he was surprised football fans everywhere. Whether he’s a bridge QB or finds a legitimate starting job, he will be a coveted pickup,» he said. «Willis is already familiar with the Dolphins’ new head coach, Jeff Hafley. Green Bay’s former defensive coordinator knows the QB position needs to be addressed and can turn to someone he’s already worked with.»
The Dolphins were always a logical landing spot for Willis given their need at the position, but the odds of him landing in Miami improved after the Dolphins hired former Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan as their general manager and former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as next head coach.
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A former third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2022, Willis didn’t look close to being a starting-caliber quarterback over his first two years in the NFL, which led to Tennessee trading him to Green Bay for a seventh-round pick in 2024.
That trade has proven to be a steal, as Willis has looked like a completely different player in Green Bay when given opportunities behind Jordan Love.
Over 11 games and three starts, Willis completed 78.7% of his passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns to zero interceptions while also adding 261 rushing yards and three touchdowns, which showed Willis’ versatile skill set.
But it’s not just about the raw numbers with Willis, as he also passed the eye test and flashed his ability to make all the throws in this league.
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When it comes to compensation, Willis’ floor is probably a deal similar to what the New York Jets gave Justin Fields last offseason, which was two years and $40 million.
But there is significantly more hype surrounding Willis than there was with Fields when he signed his Jets contract, so we would not be surprised if the Liberty product blows right past that projection.
The Dolphins will have some work to do before signing Willis, though, as Miami is projected to be $30.2 million over the cap in 2026. But if they want Willis bad enough, the Dolphins will find a way to make it work.
