Patriots Rival Predicted To Sign Quarterback Who Used To Play For Mike Vrabel
Malik Willis could make the Dolphins a dangerous team
The New England Patriots are in the Super Bowl while two of their division rivals face major quarterback questions this offseason.
The Patriots and Buffalo Bills have their franchise quarterbacks. They are set up to compete for the AFC East title for years to come. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are not in such a favorable position.
Tua Tagovailoa’s future is in doubt, and with Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan coming over from Green Bay, rumors about Tagovailoa being released or traded are starting to grow. In fact, there is already seemingly a favorite to replace him: Malik Willis.
CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles predicted the Dolphins would sign Willis, moving on from Tagovailoa.
“This has already become a popular landing spot ever since the Dolphins hired former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley,” Pereles wrote on Wednesday. “Willis would be a good mid-range option: a quarterback with the potential to be more than a bridge guy, but not one who would require a big contract”
Willis has been a great story over the last two seasons. After playing for Mike Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans in 2022 and 2023, he was traded to the Green Bay Packers just before they started the season. He was quickly thrust into action when Jordan Love was hurt on the final drive of the season opener.
After struggling with the Titans under Vrabel, Willis looked like a new player with the Packers. In three starts with the Titans over two seasons, he had three interceptions and no touchdown passes.
He had a 49.4 passer rating in two seasons under Vrabel. The Packers clearly saw something and took a chance on him. In two starts after Love got hurt, Willis had a 126.3 passer rating, three total touchdowns and completed 75.8% of his passes.
In two years with the Packers, his playing time has been limited, but he has looked like the real deal. He is 70-for-89 as a passer with 972 passing yards, 261 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns in two seasons with the Packers.
If that’s the version of Willis the Dolphins get, the Patriots could face some more difficulty next season. They already have weapons on offense, and a quarterback seems to be the missing piece.
In his lone start last season, Willis went 18-for-21 with 288 passing yards and one passing touchdown. He also had 60 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He is a dual threat who could intensify the AFC East race.
