Malik Willis: Everything you need to know

Willis agreed to terms on a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Dolphins on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Willis will reunite with a pair of familiar faces from his time in Green Bay as he heads to Miami in the form of new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Willis' signing coincides with the announced impending release of Tua Tagovialoa as a post june-1 cut, signaling the start of a new era at quarterback for the Dolphins. Across 11 combined regular-season appearances (three starts) in Green Bay over the last two years, Willis completed an impressive 78 percent of his pass attempts for 972 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions, in addition to 42 carries for 261 yards and three scores. While the Dolphins still need to provide Willis with reliable playmakers beyond wideout Jaylen Waddle (ribs) and running back De'Von Achane, the quarterback's dynamic athleticism and dual-threat abilities signal potential elite fantasy upside if things break right in his new landing spot.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday that the team expects Willis to depart in free agency and land with a team that will allow him to compete, at a minimum, for a starting job, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports. Willis will become an unrestricted free agent in March due to the expiration of his rookie contract. Given how well he played in relief of Jordan Love across his two seasons with the Packers, all expectations are that the 2022 third-round pick will be highly sought by quarterback-needy teams. Across 11 combined regular-season appearances between 2024 and 2025, Willis completed 70 of 89 pass attempts (78 percent) for 972 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also rushed 42 times for 261 yards and another three scores. Despite Willis' success and development in coach Matt LaFleur's offense, he will likely pursue greater opportunities with another franchise. As such, Willis stands as a high-upside, under-the-radar trade target, specially in dynasty fantasy formats and those that allow multiple starting quarterbacks.

Willis completed 30 of 35 passes (85.7 percent) for 422 yards and three touchdowns while logging 22 carries for 123 yards and two scores across four regular-season games (one start) for the Packers in 2025. Willis was thrust into a starting role in Week 17 against the Ravens after Jordan Love suffered a concussion during the Packers' Week 16 overtime loss to the Bears. Willis ended up aggravating a right shoulder injury during the fourth quarter against Baltimore and was replaced by Clayton Tune, and that game ended up being the former's last appearance of the 2025 season. Willis was cast away by the Titans in August of 2024 in favor of Will Levis, but the former has played well in his two years as the Packers' backup behind Love. Willis enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, and while his familiarity with the Packers' offense could sway him to stay in Green Bay, the 2022 third-rounder will have the opportunity to explore his options and sign with a team who can provide a clearer path to winning the starting quarterback job.