After his remark drew shock from the individual on the opposite finish of the telephone name, quarterback guru Quincy Avery eagerly repeated it.
While analyzing the strengths of recent Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis, Avery, who has guided lots of the NFL’s prime signal-callers, made a daring prediction: The former backup shall be each a standout passer subsequent season and “the best running quarterback in the NFL.”
Whoa.
In a league wherein two-time Associated Press NFL MVP Lamar Jackson — who holds the all-time single-season rushing record for quarterbacks — remains to be a famous person, Avery actually 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,” stated Avery, who has labored with Willis for years. “With Malik’s abilities … the Dolphins shall be ready to take action many issues that are simply going to be completely 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 relying on it.
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Willis agreed to phrases on a three-year, $67.5-million contract that features $45 million in complete ensures and a $22.5 million signing bonus. The deal grew to become official Wednesday, the primary day of the brand new league 12 months.
Under new administration from the entrance workplace to the sector, the Dolphins lured Willis from the Green Bay Packers in hopes he’ll be the principle catalyst for a profitable reset. Miami this week launched former beginning quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the fifth general decide within the 2020 NFL draft.
The individuals who now occupy the most important places of work in Miami’s soccer operation know Willis nicely.
On Jan. 9, the Dolphins employed longtime Packers player-personnel government Jon-Eric Sullivan as their common supervisor. Ten days later, they reunited Sullivan with former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, asserting him as their head coach.
For the previous two seasons, Willis, who turns 27 in May, has thrived as the first backup to Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Under the tutelage of Green Bay head coach and offensive playcaller Matt LaFleur, Willis seized each alternative whereas enjoying behind Love.
In the method, he surprised many league observers who have been able to label the younger quarterback as a bust after his first two seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
Selected by the Titans within the third spherical (86th general) of the 2022 draft out of Liberty, Willis struggled whereas enjoying little behind Tennessee starter Ryan Tannehill. After two seasons, the Titans gave up on Willis, buying and selling him to the Packers in 2024 for a seventh-round decide within the 2025 draft.
LaFleur helped Willis discover ways to strategy the place within the NFL accurately, offering a basis his former pupil by no means obtained throughout his time in Nashville. From there, Willis’ ascent occurred rapidly.
Titans followers might attest to that.
Playing for the injured Love early throughout his first season after the commerce, Willis shined within the visiting Packers’ 30-14 rout of his former group. Willis accomplished 13 of 19 passes for 202 passing yards and one passing landing. He was no much less efficient as a runner, main all gamers with 73 dashing yards on simply six carries (a 12.2-yard common) and including one other rating.
To hear Avery inform it, linking up with LaFleur saved Willis’ profession and put him on observe for his massive payday this week.
“What LaFleur and his guys in Green Bay do so well is coach every quarterback in the room,” Avery stated. “What I imply by that’s some groups actually solely coach the starter. LaFleur needs all of his quarterbacks to get it. The means they have been instructing him in Tennessee … he wasn’t getting a full grasp of the right way to play.
“I had a chance to undergo some [film] of the season with him after his first 12 months at Tennessee. And the way in which that he communicated … it wasn’t the way in which that any person communicated if that they had a full grasp of what was happening. Malik is a extremely sensible man, however there was a disconnect in the way in which that they have been presenting info.
“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.”
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Of course, Willis nonetheless has one thing to show.
Playing nicely in spot obligation is one factor. The Dolphins want him to be productive persistently all through the grind of a 17-game, 18-week schedule.
Willis understands what’s anticipated of him, Avery stated.
“He’s ready to take the next step,” the quarterback coach stated. “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 dash previous the competitors, depend Avery amongst those that gained’t be shocked.
