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Watching Malik Willis lead the Miami Dolphins offense in 2026 will be a thrilling experience.
There will be a lot of exciting plays that come from his big throwing arm and mobility.
There will also be hard, unexpected twists that may make your stomach turn.
It will be a roller-coaster that, just as easily as it can exhilarate you, can leave you scratching your head as to why you ever got on the ride.
That’s the impression I got from observing Willis lead the Miami offense throughout organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.
I watched Willis, who represents new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley’s first crack at a franchise quarterback under their regime, throw at six offseason practices — three OTAs, three minicamp sessions.
There were high highs and low lows, sometimes one after the other.
Take the final practice of OTAs open to reporters last week. Willis was getting into a groove as the Dolphins put the offense and defense against each other for a situational end-of-half drive.
Willis threw an interception where veteran safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. stepped right in front of a downfield throw.
He got another shot before practice is over and was nearly intercepted by second-year cornerback Jason Marshall Jr.
But just as his mistakes were snowballing downhill, Willis rebounded from one pick and another dropped interception to make what was probably his best throw of the day. He delivered a strike over cornerback JuJu Brents across the field on a corner route of more than 20 yards to slot receiver Malik Washington. The ensuing drive netted the offense a field goal try after it was so close to resulting in catastrophic back-to-back turnovers in a pressure situation.
It’s that kind of quick up and down that could represent the Malik Willis experience in a capsule.
Willis had his highlights during OTAs and minicamp.
When he was put in a similar scenario a week earlier, he found tight end Ben Sims open over the middle of the field for a 40-yard touchdown pass.
During a big red zone day of work, he was sharp in closed quarters, tossing touchdowns to an array of targets. One of them had him looking like Caleb Williams the way he delivered an off-balance pass on the run to Washington. (He might not appreciate that comparison after Williams’ Bears eliminated Willis’ Packers last year, but it’s certainly meant as a compliment.)
In addition to the Johnson interception, he had Brents pick him off on an overthrow of Washington at another practice. Safety Dante Trader Jr. came down with an interception of Willis on a tipped ball just out of the catchable reach of rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas.
Willis’ biggest day of struggles may have come at an OTA session where he didn’t throw an interception. That second practice open to the media, he was just missing with his accuracy and could not consistently find his targets.
But he bounced back from that one with a strong showing at a closed practice, according to Hafley. He then looked sharp the next time he was seen by reporters, the first practice of minicamp.
Hafley called Willis’ connection with receivers a work in progress. That stands to reason with the past few months being the only work he’s gotten with his new pass-catchers. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said that chemistry still won’t realistically be found until the end of training camp going into the regular season.
Slowik also explained that the offense went through three phases of installation of plays, each one going smoother than the one prior.
And then there’s the fact that Willis hasn’t had star running back De’Von Achane with him in the backfield during offseason workouts as he recovers from injury. That’s an added element to the pass game, getting the ball to Achane on checkdowns or even when he lines up out wide.
There was an emphasis on Willis making pocket throws during the offseason program, too. So one of his best traits, his athleticism, hasn’t been highlighted the way it would once the playbook opens up when games are played.
Based on what we’ve seen thus far, Willis will have flashes that fascinate, but pack your patience for the inconsistent play. All one can do is buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Continue reading...
There will be a lot of exciting plays that come from his big throwing arm and mobility.
There will also be hard, unexpected twists that may make your stomach turn.
It will be a roller-coaster that, just as easily as it can exhilarate you, can leave you scratching your head as to why you ever got on the ride.
That’s the impression I got from observing Willis lead the Miami offense throughout organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.
I watched Willis, who represents new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley’s first crack at a franchise quarterback under their regime, throw at six offseason practices — three OTAs, three minicamp sessions.
There were high highs and low lows, sometimes one after the other.
Take the final practice of OTAs open to reporters last week. Willis was getting into a groove as the Dolphins put the offense and defense against each other for a situational end-of-half drive.
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Willis threw an interception where veteran safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. stepped right in front of a downfield throw.
He got another shot before practice is over and was nearly intercepted by second-year cornerback Jason Marshall Jr.
But just as his mistakes were snowballing downhill, Willis rebounded from one pick and another dropped interception to make what was probably his best throw of the day. He delivered a strike over cornerback JuJu Brents across the field on a corner route of more than 20 yards to slot receiver Malik Washington. The ensuing drive netted the offense a field goal try after it was so close to resulting in catastrophic back-to-back turnovers in a pressure situation.
It’s that kind of quick up and down that could represent the Malik Willis experience in a capsule.
Willis had his highlights during OTAs and minicamp.
When he was put in a similar scenario a week earlier, he found tight end Ben Sims open over the middle of the field for a 40-yard touchdown pass.
During a big red zone day of work, he was sharp in closed quarters, tossing touchdowns to an array of targets. One of them had him looking like Caleb Williams the way he delivered an off-balance pass on the run to Washington. (He might not appreciate that comparison after Williams’ Bears eliminated Willis’ Packers last year, but it’s certainly meant as a compliment.)
In addition to the Johnson interception, he had Brents pick him off on an overthrow of Washington at another practice. Safety Dante Trader Jr. came down with an interception of Willis on a tipped ball just out of the catchable reach of rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas.
Willis’ biggest day of struggles may have come at an OTA session where he didn’t throw an interception. That second practice open to the media, he was just missing with his accuracy and could not consistently find his targets.
But he bounced back from that one with a strong showing at a closed practice, according to Hafley. He then looked sharp the next time he was seen by reporters, the first practice of minicamp.
Hafley called Willis’ connection with receivers a work in progress. That stands to reason with the past few months being the only work he’s gotten with his new pass-catchers. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said that chemistry still won’t realistically be found until the end of training camp going into the regular season.
Slowik also explained that the offense went through three phases of installation of plays, each one going smoother than the one prior.
And then there’s the fact that Willis hasn’t had star running back De’Von Achane with him in the backfield during offseason workouts as he recovers from injury. That’s an added element to the pass game, getting the ball to Achane on checkdowns or even when he lines up out wide.
There was an emphasis on Willis making pocket throws during the offseason program, too. So one of his best traits, his athleticism, hasn’t been highlighted the way it would once the playbook opens up when games are played.
Based on what we’ve seen thus far, Willis will have flashes that fascinate, but pack your patience for the inconsistent play. All one can do is buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Continue reading...
