​The Miami Dolphins are in the early stages of another rebuild after parting ways with their head coach and general manager and choosing to move away from costly veterans in favor of younger, more affordable options to fill the roster. While many of the players the Dolphins signed to inexpensive, one-year deals fit that mold, the three-year, $67.5 million contract for quarterback Malik Willis stood out clearly. That heightened attention likely stems from the insider awareness that new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley possess after collaborating with Willis for the past two seasons in Green Bay.
It’s evident that the Dolphins’ new leadership believes Willis could become a franchise quarterback, yet Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton recently forecasted that the 27-year-old will fail to deliver in 2026. Moton’s reasoning is understandable. The Dolphins have not done much to surround Willis with high-end weapons; in fact, they’ve done the opposite. In recent months, Miami has released Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle, and they let Darren Waller linger on the open market. While they added Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Reagor, and Terrace Marshall Jr., none of those veterans would even serve as a true WR2 on a competitive team.
The potential upside for the receiver corps rests with rookies Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, and Kevin Coleman Jr., but expecting significant production from a trio of wide receivers selected in the third round or later is optimistic at best. Without elite pass-catching talent to throw to, Willis faces a tall order to maximize his performance, and if he can’t lift the team beyond a handful of wins, the organization could be compelled to pursue another quarterback in the early stages of the 2027 NFL draft.
This analysis reflects how the current Dolphins era—driven by a new front office and coaching staff—might unfold if Willis doesn’t immediately elevate the offense. It’s a situation that will likely attract scrutiny as the team works to balance salary cap considerations with the need to provide a sufficient slate of weapons to support their quarterback. The focus remains on whether Willis can develop into a true franchise pillar, or if the franchise will need to recalibrate its quarterback plans in the near future. This piece originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: QB Malik Willis projected to be a bust in first year with Dolphins for better SEO.