Why Malik Willis has only 2026 season to prove he can be Dolphins' franchise QB

Jul 20, 2026 - 20:40

0 1

Why Malik Willis has only 2026 season to prove he can be Dolphins' franchise QB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Miami Dolphins are entering the 2026 NFL season in full-scale rebuild mode. This team isn't meant to be a competitive one at all.

But that doesn't mean the players won't be trying hard, and if there is one player who needs to prove more than anyone else in 2026, it's Malik Willis.

Jim Ayello of The Athletic noted Willis has the most on the line in 2026, as this upcoming season will probably be his last chance to become the Dolphins' franchise quarterback.

Malik Willis has just 2026 to prove he's a franchise QB

"No, this is his season to prove he can be a franchise quarterback," Ayello writes. "If he doesn't, there's a good chance he'll just be a (very) well-compensated backup this time next year."

Willis, being the player who has the most on the line in 2026 for the Dolphins, makes a lot of sense. There's not another player on the team whose future depends more on this upcoming season than Willis.

It's unfortunate for Willis that his best chance to become a starting QB in the NFL comes with the Dolphins, and with a very weak offensive supporting cast.

Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington, Tutu Atwell, Chris Bell, Kevin Coleman Jr., and Caleb Douglas make up the WR room, while the tight ends are led by Greg Dulcich and Will Kacmarek.

MORE: Dolphins trade idea sends Jaylen Wright to Texans for late-round draft pick

Even though De'Von Achane is a great running back, and the Miami offensive line might not be all that terrible, the WRs and TEs on the roster are not ideal at all.

But this is the offense Willis has to work with, as the Dolphins are strapped for cash and need to make the most of a rebuilding season in which losses aren't actually a bad thing.

It's going to be very difficult for Willis to prove he should be the team's franchise QB. He not only needs to play great, but also do so with a weak offense around him.

After signing him to a $67.5 million deal over three seasons, the Dolphins might be preparing to replace Willis during the 2027 NFL Draft.

Unless Willis has a great 2026 season, that's the most likely scenario for Miami, with Willis being an expensive back in 2027.