Dolphins' Malik Willis shares candid reflection on early-career struggles

The Miami Dolphins made a splash signing by adding Malik Willis from the Green Bay Packers on a $67.5 million contract over the next three years.

He's replacing Tua Tagovailoa and will be a very high-upside addition to the offense in 2026. But it wasn't smooth sailing for Willis in getting to this point. He began his NFL career as a bust with the Tennessee Titans.

But in Green Bay, Willis found his groove and earned a strong payday this offseason from the Dolphins. And according to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post, Willis shared some very candid comments on his early-career bust label and how he has changed since then.

Dolphins' Malik Willis 'wasn't prepared' to begin NFL career

"When I came in the league, I wasn't prepared... I've grown a lot," Willis said at his introductory press conference.

The 26-year-old quarterback began his career in the NFL coming out of Auburn and Liberty with the Titans. Willis started three games in his rookie year and appeared in eight games total. It was not a good start for Willis.

Willis had a completion percentage of 50.8% on 61 attempts (31 completions), with 276 passing yards and three interceptions with no touchdowns. As a runner, he had 123 rushing yards and a touchdown on 27 attempts.

In 2023, Willis made just five pass attempts, and while he had 74 yards on those attempts, he still didn't have a productive season despite being a relatively high draft pick in the third round.

But, as Willis noted, he's grown since then. He's not only better prepared, but he's matured as a player as well. That could be seen in his production with the Packers the last two years.

More: Dolphins agree to $67.5 million deal with Malik Willis

In 11 total games, with three starts and multiple relief appearances, Willis, in two years with the Packers, had a 2-1 record with a 78.7% completion percentage with 972 passing yards and six passing touchdowns with no interceptions.

As a runner the last two years, he had 261 yards on 42 attempts with three touchdowns for an overall strong dual-threat performance for the Packers.

While Willis began his career on the wrong foot, struggling with the Titans, the past two years in Green Bay have revitalized his career and given him a chance to be the Dolphins' starter on a big $67.5 million contract.

Willis has already been turning his career around, and now, getting a chance to be a full-time starter in Miami, he will look to completely put the bust label behind him, as he's grown a lot since then.

More Dolphins news:

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• De'Von Achane expected to have extension talks with Dolphins
• Tua Tagovailoa is big winner of free agency after joining Falcons
• Tua Tagovailoa quickly picked Falcons after release from Dolphins
• Dolphins trade Minkah Fitzpatrick to Jets for late round pick
• Tua Tagovailoa will have $60+ million cap hit for Dolphins in 2026