The new Quarterback

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by TheHighExhaulted, Mar 9, 2026 at 12:51 PM.

  1. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

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    6 games played, $67 million.
     
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  2. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Many are super high on him, and it was the expected move with our new hires coming form Green Bay. Not sure if it was a smart move or not but the asking price was expected to be higher- Rappaport quoted $30-35M a few weeks ago and said Miami couldn't afford Willis.

    The good news, we won the QB sweepstakes during the off-season...and there's no way Tua remains on the roster. Also good news for Ewers since he can develop another season or two. And good news for the team since this is not longer a guaranteed "tank year" if we got the right guy.

    The bad news, Willis shows promise in limited starts but is largely unproven. I'm guessing we shipped out Minkah to make the math work.
     
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  3. Fireland

    Fireland Well-Known Member

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    At least it will be entertaining. Didn't really want to watch Ewers.
     
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  4. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

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    I didn’t think we had a shot at him at all with our cap situation.

    I haven’t seen him play so I guess it’s time to dig into YouTube and see what’s there. I certainly hope though they aren’t expecting Willis to be THE player to save the offense. Hope they build a complete offense around him and not put all of the pressure on him for instant success.
     
  5. Striking

    Striking Junior Member

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    It would seem they are convinced he is ready to take that next step. Hopefully to above league average starter if not better. Now I expect them to keep Achane and Waddle, wasn't sure about it before. The OL will be the focus in the draft with a lot of free agent and UDFAs manning the defense is my guess.
     
  6. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

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    Not a fan of this signing, they better got that right.
     
  7. pumpdogs

    pumpdogs Well-Known Member

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    Never seen him play but these guys did see him everyday in practice so will see.
     
  8. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

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    Time will tell, just saying that they better got that right. Would be a bad look if he fails and not a good start for this regime.
     
  9. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Not a ton of film on him since he's only played in 11 NFL games. But the 30-second highlights:

    - Good arm talent with accurate throws at all levels. Can throw lasers with velocity, can launch bombs.
    - A pocket QB that's a true dual threat, good sense of when to take off and has some speed.
    - Plays fast and decisive, seems to have a really solid feel for the pocket (or lack of one).
    - He's only 26, so hopefully his best football is ahead of him.
     
  10. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    It is starting QB money, low risk. If it dont work out, we move on after the 2027 season.
     
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  11. Deus ex dolphin

    Deus ex dolphin Well-Known Member

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    Mobile, with a strong arm? Like NOTHING a Dolphin fan has seen in years.
     
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  12. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

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    Fair point, I just don’t think he‘ll last long in this league, he’s not much bigger than Tua. Hope he shines!
     
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  13. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    I dont have high hopes for him but i will be rooting for him. He is as humble as it gets in this league. And he does have athletic gifts that Tua does not.

    we are not in position to draft a qb..

    his salary does guarantee him the starting job, it does not guarantee that he remains the qb.. it doesnt prevent competition from Ewers or other qb we bring in.

    if its average qb play, well then maybe we have a better draft pool of qb’s in the 2027 offseason.. this draft, after Mendoza, has a steep decline at quarterback.

    it was a very tough pill to swallow for this front office when they had to come to terms that there was minimal drop off/difference from Ewers and a quarterback that was among the highest paid in the league.
     
  14. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

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    Some details on his contract.

    $67 million over 3 years
    $45 million guaranteed
    $22.5 million signing bonus, $1.25 million salary for year 1
    Year 2 that jumps to $23 million

    So for salary cap hit, his $1.25 million is what’s going to count against the cap.

    What does concern me though, how much “competition” can you have when Willis is being paid $23 million to come to Miami? There’s no doubt about it. He is going to be the starter. You pay someone that much to ride the bench.
     
  15. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    I mean, unless he is legit elite, we will probably be bad enough to pick in the top half or near the top of the draft entirely in what is predicted to be a big QB draft next year.

    He needs to impress. His salary isn't prohibitive in terms of keeping him beyond this year, but it is also enough that they are showing some faith in him. He won't be benched for a slow start or at the first sign of trouble, they will let him play and show out one way or the other.

    I don't have a problem with it because it doesn't really keep us from drafting another QB next year if we need to, but it's a decent shot at a good QB in a year that is pretty bleak overall. And probably no staff in the league knows Willis like this one. I'm not a big fan of his, but I am hoping he will be good for us. He's got the raw talent, will see if the coaching in GB gave him the mental aspect needed as well.
     
  16. pumpdogs

    pumpdogs Well-Known Member

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    Just watched him on YouTube.
    Dude is exciting to watch.Strong arm and mobile as ****
     
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  17. ExplosionsInDaSky

    ExplosionsInDaSky Well-Known Member

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    I like Willis. Let's Fkin do this. Not a fan of Quinn Ewers at all. I'll take him as a backup, but I think signing Willis means we are still trying to compete. It's a low-risk signing in my opinion, with a very high ceiling. I support this. I really liked what little I saw of Willis last season. Gives us something at the position that we have never had here, and that is first-class athleticism. This is something totally new, and exciting at the same time. Main issue with Willis is going to be his health. If he stays healthy, he'll be a decent quarterback for us. I'm not expecting MVP type numbers from him. I think we are going to be a defensive-minded team with Willis as more of a game manager. He can make most throws, and he can make things happen with his feet. I think this is a great signing and it's certainly going to keep us interested.
     
  18. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

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    Video of Willis highlights.

     
  19. Striking

    Striking Junior Member

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    Kurt Warner has a studyball on Willis if anyone cares
     
  20. Sceeto

    Sceeto Well-Known Member

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    Pretty cool:

     
  21. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    He's clearly the starter and the new coaching staff hand-picked him before coming here. That didn't mean everything would align for it to happen, but it was their preferred QB all along.

    Willis with Achane will be exciting for sure, and defenses are going to have to stay at home or the kid is strolling down the field. This type of QB opens up so much because it's almost like you're accounting for a 12th man (the passer and the runner). I've always loved this type of QB for the excitement and I've always hated them because of the increased injury chances.

    I'm not sure how I feel with that type of guy being our QB...but I'm super excited for the ride! It makes a ton of sense though because you have a starting QB on day one that your HC likes and respects. Worst case scenario, he's a bridge QB until we draft our guy over the next few seasons. Best case though, he is the guy and we just locked him down for three years on the cheap so we can develop the line and our secondary.
     
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