‘Happened when I was prepared.’ Malik Willis’ journey to Dolphins was about patience
It was the question on everyone’s mind.
How does 155 career passes land one a guaranteed $45 million?
For Malik Willis, the answer was rather simple.
“You got to lean not on your own understanding that’s for sure,” the Miami Dolphins’ new starting quarterback said, paraphrasing Proverbs 3:5. “You got to trust in God’s plan for your life. He wakes you up, gives you an opportunity to get better. I think that’s all you can ask for.”
Willis, 26, addressed the South Florida media for the first time Thursday, flanked by his mom, dad, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley. It was a joyous occasion as his arrival brought to close the essential triumvirate of a new regime — first general manager, then coach and finally, quarterback. And while Willis has yet to be a full-time starter, Miami represents the chance for him to prove he can be a franchise quarterback.
“There are a lot of great reasons to be here,” Willis said before pointing to Sullivan and Hafley. “Those two guys are the biggest ones, as far as what I see this organization, this team becoming. I can’t see the future but all I know is they’re going to put in the work each and every day just as I will try to do the same.”
It’s no stretch to say Willis embodies the hopes and dreams of Dolphins fans. Since the 2000 retirement of the legendary Dan Marino, 27 quarterbacks have started, suited up, all with varying degrees of success. The most recent franchise signal-caller, Tua Tagovailoa, was released Monday, six years after Miami selected him No. 5 overall, leaving behind a storied Pro Bowl season in 2023, dozens of missed games due to injury and a fan base starving for postseason success as the Dolphins still haven’t won a playoff game since 2000.
This is the context with which Willis steps into as the first splash signing of Sullivan’s tenure. Willis, however, isn’t too concerned.
“It happened when I was prepared,” Willis said, even revealing he “wasn’t prepared” when the Tennessee Titans initially selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. “I just think I’ve grown a lot and am grateful for the opportunity.”
In a vacuum, the signing could seem a bit overzealous. Maybe it’s just former Green Bay Packers guys rewarding their people. And one look at his career passing stats – 68% completion percentage, 1,322 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions — could reinforce that idea.
Willis, however, has shown \real growth since a 2024 trade from the Titans landed him in Green Bay. In his three starts as a Packer, Willis completed roughly 80% of his passes for 612 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for another 174 yards and three touchdowns on just 21 attempts.
“It helped a lot,” Willis said of his time in Green Bay. As he reflected on his early career struggles, the former Liberty University standout couldn’t help but express gratitude. “The journey here has been amazing — even the times that we’re tough and when you were like ‘Golly, is it ever going to happen?’ And boom it happens out of nowhere. You just don’t know how it’s going to go but all you can do is prepare yourself.”
Hafley, for one, has effusively praised Willis, who served as the scout team quarterback against the former defensive coordinator’s unit.
“A lot of times he really couldn’t do what he does best because if we were playing a drop back guy, and he started scrambling, I’ll tell him ‘Hey you got to stay in the pocket. Stop scrambling. That’s not what we’re doing today,” Hafley recalled. “And then if we were playing a scrambler, he could play his game and do his thing.”
Added Hafley: “Obviously, him and I have a really good relationship. He always did a really good job, and he gave us everything that he had.”
Therein lies one immediate upgrade: Willis’ mobility. One of the main reasons Tagovailoa found himself on the bench for the final three games of the 2025 season was that he had seemingly lost all athleticism. If the ascent of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have proved anything, it’s that franchise quarterbacks can no longer be pure pocket passers — a bit of escapability happens to be essential as it can continuously put opposing defenses in binds.
“We’ll see when the day comes,” Willis quipped when asked how his athleticism will help the offense. “I think it helps, though.”
What will become of Willis remains anyone’s guess. Football, after all, is a team sport and this team in particular could stand to benefit from a starting right guard and wide receiver or two — not to mention offensive line depth in general. But for someone who’s gone from Liberty University to the NFL, there’s no questioning what ultimately drives him.
“All you can do is win today,” Willis said. “Then you try to win tomorrow. You do that each day and I want them to say ‘That guy was consistent and works hard.’”
This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 1:29 PM.
