When the official scrimmage period began on Monday, Malik Willis chose the Dolphins almost immediately.
Why? Connections from his time in Green Bay.
On his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, Willis talked about his relationship with new Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Hafley was the Packers’ defensive coordinator the past two years, while Sullivan served as vice president of player personnel from 2022-25.
“I’m very happy to be there,” Willis said. “I’m really familiar with (Hafley and Sullivan) and I’m excited to go to work and try to do something special. It’s a blessing.
“I’m trying to take advantage of every opportunity I get. I’m going to leave all that in the past, it’s over now. Just trying to go down there and do what I can do, do special things.”
Willis’ deal is for three years, $67 million.
After Miami’s release of Tua Tagovailoa, Willis may have the first role of his career.
Last year in his second season with the Packers, Willis filled most of the gaps while starting quarterback Jordan Love was out with an injury, playing in four games and starting one.
Willis threw for 422 yards and five total zero touchdowns.
He credited that success with being in the Packers’ program two years in a row, an honor he hadn’t achieved in the past.
“It was very comfortable to be able to go out and do whatever it took to get the job done,” Willis said. “That was nice to know.”
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 did not throw a single.
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He did not see the field his sophomore year before he was transferred.
Despite limited playing time in Green Bay, he revived his career enough to become the top QB in free agency and convinced the Dolphins to take a chance on him.
Willis has been Miami’s only signing in free agency so far, though they did re-sign Greg Dulcich.
In addition to Tagovailoa, they also cut star receiver Tyreek Hill following his season-ending knee injury.
Willis will be paired with running back De’Von Achane in Miami, however without Hill, his receiving corps is barren.
The Dolphins kept Jaylen Waddle, but their other options — Malik Washington and Cedrick Wilson Jr. – leave much to be desired.
At least Willis will have a familiar face to the coaches and front office.
