The number of fans rooting for Malik Willis to succeed continues to grow by the day.
Willis was one of the hottest commodities this offseason, with several quarterback-needy teams vying for his services. The Miami Dolphins outbid them all to sign Willis, a career backup thus far, to a stunningly large contract.
The Dolphins put a mic in front of Willis for the first time this week as he spoke to reporters during his introductory press conference. The soft-spoken Willis, slated to be the Dolphins’ Week 1 starter, was asked if he felt he would have been ready for such an opportunity a year or two ago.
Instead of feigning bravado about what he could or could not have done in the past, Willis kept his eyes on his present and future in Miami.
“I’m not sure. You won’t really know until you know. I’m grateful for the opportunity now, and that’s all I can say,” Willis responded.
“I can’t say whether I was ready or not, I can’t prove that. That would be just me being arrogant or prideful. But the opportunity’s here now, and I’m gonna try to do my best to take advantage of it.”
Willis has only started in six games across his first four NFL seasons, including just one during the 2025 campaign. But that one start was electric enough to make several teams believe Willis has the potential to be a top-shelf QB.
In his lone start in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens, Willis went 2/2 for 79 yards in the Packers’ opening drive, which ended with a highlight touchdown pass to Christian Watson. Willis was surgical with an 18/21 passing clip for 288 yards, and also rushed for 60 more yards and 2 touchdowns with his legs.
