In NFL free agency, QB Malik Willis and Miami Dolphins are off and running

After his comment drew surprise from the person on the other end of the phone call, quarterback guru Quincy Avery eagerly repeated it.

While analyzing the strengths of new Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis, Avery, who has guided many of the NFL’s top signal-callers, made a bold prediction: The former backup will be both a standout passer next season and “the best running quarterback in the NFL.”

Whoa.

In a league in which two-time Associated Press NFL MVP Lamar Jackson — who holds the all-time single-season rushing record for quarterbacks — is still a superstar, Avery really went there. Then, he doubled down on it.

“A few years ago, yeah, Lamar was definitely the best, and he’s still the best scrambler in the NFL, but what I’m talking about is what Miami will now be able to do on designed [quarterback] runs,” said Avery, who has worked with Willis for years. “With Malik’s skills … the Dolphins will be able to do so many things that are just going to be different.

“Because of his legs, watch, he’s going to stress out defenses. Miami will put so much pressure on everyone they face. What that does is, it opens up so much you can do in the passing game. Those designed runs are going to be so good, so effective, they’ll lead to so many explosive [passing] plays. This is one of the best signings of free agency.”

The Dolphins are counting on it.

Willis agreed to terms on a three-year, $67.5-million contract that includes $45 million in total guarantees and a $22.5 million signing bonus. The deal became official Wednesday, the first day of the new league year.

Under new management from the front office to the field, the Dolphins lured Willis from the Green Bay Packers in hopes he’ll be the main catalyst for a successful reset. Miami this week released former starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

The people who now occupy the biggest offices in Miami’s football operation know Willis well.

On Jan. 9, the Dolphins hired longtime Packers player-personnel executive Jon-Eric Sullivan as their general manager. Ten days later, they reunited Sullivan with former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, announcing him as their head coach.

For the past two seasons, Willis, who turns 27 in May, has thrived as the primary backup to Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Under the tutelage of Green Bay head coach and offensive playcaller Matt LaFleur, Willis seized every opportunity while playing behind Love.

In the process, he stunned many league observers who were ready to label the young quarterback as a bust after his first two seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

Selected by the Titans in the third round (86th overall) of the 2022 draft out of Liberty, Willis struggled while playing little behind Tennessee starter Ryan Tannehill. After two seasons, the Titans gave up on Willis, trading him to the Packers in 2024 for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft.

LaFleur helped Willis learn how to approach the position in the NFL correctly, providing a foundation his former pupil never received during his time in Nashville. From there, Willis’ ascent occurred quickly.

Titans fans could attest to that.

Playing for the injured Love early during his first season after the trade, Willis shined in the visiting Packers’ 30-14 rout of his former team. Willis completed 13 of 19 passes for 202 passing yards and one passing touchdown. He was no less effective as a runner, leading all players with 73 rushing yards on just six carries (a 12.2-yard average) and adding another score.

To hear Avery tell it, linking up with LaFleur saved Willis’ career and put him on track for his big payday this week.

“What LaFleur and his guys in Green Bay do so well is coach every quarterback in the room,” Avery said. “What I mean by that is some teams really only coach the starter. LaFleur wants all of his quarterbacks to get it. The way they were instructing him in Tennessee … he wasn’t getting a full grasp of how to play.

“I had an opportunity to go through some [film] of the season with him after his first year at Tennessee. And the way that he communicated … it wasn’t the way that somebody communicated if they had a full grasp of what was going on. Malik is a really smart guy, but there was a disconnect in the way that they were presenting information.

“At Green Bay, he got his doctorate in quarterback play. That’s what allowed him to play at such a high level. That and the fact it’s so much different when you’re playing the quarterback position and you know that the people around you — not just your teammates but also coaches and management — believe in you. That’s what he had in Green Bay. And that’s what he’ll also have in Miami.”

Of course, Willis still has something to prove.

Playing well in spot duty is one thing. The Dolphins need him to be productive consistently throughout the grind of a 17-game, 18-week schedule.

Willis understands what’s expected of him, Avery said.

“He’s ready to take the next step,” the quarterback coach said. “And if he plays to his ability, if he can do what he did with the Green Bay Packers over 17 weeks, he’s going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the show.”

This is Willis’ time, Avery believes. And if Willis and the Dolphins sprint past the competition, count Avery among those who won’t be surprised.

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