Malik Willis enters the 2026 season facing the biggest opportunity of his NFL career after leaving the Green Bay Packers to become the Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback. The former backup showed considerable promise in limited action, but his new surroundings could make proving himself as a legitimate franchise passer far more difficult.
Willis rebuilt his reputation during two seasons in Green Bay, performing efficiently whenever injuries pushed him into the starting lineup. He completed 79% of his passes while averaging 10.9 yards per attempt with six touchdowns and no interceptions during his Packers tenure. Those impressive numbers demonstrated how dramatically he had developed since struggling early in his career with Tennessee, although they came across a relatively small sample of meaningful snaps.
Miami is betting that development can translate into sustained success as a full-time starter. The challenge is that Willis no longer has the same supporting structure that helped maximize his strengths in Green Bay. He joins a rebuilding roster with significant questions at wide receiver and along the offensive line, potentially placing greater responsibility on him to create offense without consistently favorable circumstances.
The Dolphins still possess an explosive weapon in running back De’Von Achane, whose speed should complement Willis’ dangerous rushing ability. Beyond Achane, however, the offensive supporting cast lacks established star power. Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington and Tutu Atwell headline an uncertain receiving group, meaning Willis may need younger or less proven targets to emerge before Miami can develop a dependable passing attack.
Former Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis Receives Grim Prediction About His Current Team
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Willis is projected to be placed in a bad situation with his current team. This is detailed more in an analysis by Jordan Dajani for CBS Sports.
Willis is a huge question mark in general, but even if you’re optimistic about his talent, you have to admit that the rebuilding Dolphins are not in a great situation right now. What are the odds Miami will be drafting a quarterback in the top three next year? It’s expected to be a loaded class with players like Arch Manning, Dante Moore, CJ Carr and LaNorris Sellers.
That situation creates considerable pressure because the upcoming season could determine how Miami approaches quarterback beyond 2026. Willis must prove his exceptional efficiency in Green Bay was more than the product of limited opportunities and a quarterback-friendly system. His mobility gives the Dolphins another dimension offensively, but maintaining accuracy, avoiding sacks and developing chemistry with his receivers will be essential over a full schedule.
Willis finally has the starting opportunity he spent years working toward, but he will have to succeed under considerably tougher circumstances than those he enjoyed in Green Bay. If he can elevate an unsettled Dolphins offense despite its limitations, he could establish himself as Miami’s long-term answer and turn a difficult situation into the defining breakthrough of his career.
