When the legal tampering period began Monday, Malik Willis chose the Dolphins almost immediately.
Why? Connections from his time in Green Bay.
In his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, Willis cited his relationships with new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Hafley was the Packers’ defensive coordinator for the last two years, while Sullivan served as their vice president of player personnel from 2022-25.
“I’m super excited to be down there,” Willis said. “I’m real familiar with (Hafley and Sullivan) and excited to go to work and try to do something special. It’s a blessing.
“I’m just trying to take advantage of every opportunity I can get. I’ll leave all that in the past, it’s over with now. Just trying to go down there and do what I can, do some special things.”
Willis’ deal is for three years, $67 million.
Following Miami’s release of Tua Tagovailoa, Willis is likely to assume a starting role for the first time in his career.
Last year in his second season with the Packers, Willis filled in multiple times when starting quarterback Jordan Love was sidelined with injuries, playing in four games and starting one.
Willis threw for 422 yards and five total touchdowns to zero interceptions.
He credited that success to being in the Packers’ system for two straight years, a luxury he hadn’t been afforded in the past.
“It was just that much more comfortable being able to go out there and do whatever it takes to get the job done,” Willis said. “It was great having that familiarity.”
Before being traded to Green Bay before the 2024 campaign, Willis spent his first two years with the Titans. After being drafted in the third round in 2022, he played in eight games (three starts) in his rookie season, yet didn’t throw a single touchdown.
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He barely saw the field his second year before being shipped off.
Despite limited playing time in Green Bay, he revived his career enough to be the top QB in free agency and warrant the Dolphins taking a chance on him.
Willis has been Miami’s only splash in free agency thus far, though they did re-sign tight end Greg Dulcich.
Besides Tagovailoa, they also cut star wide receiver Tyreek Hill following his gruesome season-ending knee injury.
Willis will pair with running back De’Von Achane in Miami, yet without Hill, its receiving corps is barren.
The Dolphins retain Jaylen Waddle, but their other options — Malik Washington and Cedrick Wilson Jr. — leave much to be desired.
At least Willis will have familiar faces on the coaching staff and front office.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
