Some would say this was bound to happen. There have been undercurrents, pairing dual-threat quarterback Malik Willis with the Dolphins when they hired general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, people who had spent time together with Willis in Green Bay. For that matter, Sullivan greatly downplayed the Dolphins’ intentions of ever signing Willis at the NFL Combine not so long ago. But come Monday, Miami woke up to embrace a new reality headlined by two major updates in a timeframe of just a few hours.

Tua Tagovailoa out; Willis signed in free agency for a deal reportedly to be a three-year, $67.5 million-dollar contract, with $45 million fully guaranteed.

While the quarterback spent the first two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, his development didn’t really start until he was in Green Bay. Even with the Packers, he started as a scout team quarterback who would sometimes barely get things right. Hafley often found himself instructing the player to stop scrambling and to stay within the pocket. And on the days they were to scramble, the coach would let the quarterback just do his thing.

“Obviously him and I have a really good relationship, and he always did a really good job and gave us everything that he had,” Hafley said about Willis in February, and similarly, Sullivan, too, is fond of the player.

When speaking about Willis in Indianapolis on February 24, he only had good things to point out. It goes without saying that both Sullivan and Hafley have had many chances to test Willis’ work ethic and to make sure he would fit the culture they are trying to rebuild in Miami. If the franchise intends to win, it will have to address the underlying culture issues that have plagued it in the past two seasons. Instances like linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson brawling in team drills or Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill settling arguments publicly hampered the culture in the building.

That said, here is something important to note: The quarterback doesn’t come with tons of starting experience. Under Sullivan and Hafley’s leadership in Green Bay, Willis played 11 games, starting three. Although the 26-year-old had limited opportunities, he possessed significant potential to be a starter. The QB completed almost 80% of the passes at the Packers, while registering 972 passing yards along with six passing touchdowns.

Despite strong numbers, Jordan Love remained the Packers’ QB1, which confined Willis to backup duties. But as the Dolphins replaced their primary quarterback with Malik Willis, this opportunity could prove to be a fresh chapter in his career, cementing his position as a true starter. But take that with a pinch of salt!

The franchise’s quarterback picture could still change as the offseason progresses, especially if Quinn Ewers makes a strong push for snaps during training camp. Add the fact that Willis lacks experience as a starter, and his position might not seem as stable. Regardless, the Dolphins’ general manager and head coach aren’t worried about Willis’ small sample size because they have seen him grow. So, what will the Dolphins expect from him?

They may have seen in him a quarterback who is capable of challenging defenses both as a passer and a runner. That’s something Miami’s offense didn’t have with Tagovailoa. So, that is something to look forward to.

Now in Miami, Willis will also have some offensive weapons around him, including running back De’Von Achane and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Financial limitations mean Miami likely won’t be able to add many more pieces around Willis in his first season because of tight salary cap space. However, the team still holds draft capital it can use to strengthen the roster, and there is no immediate pressure for the Dolphins to become contenders.

$45 million guaranteed money highlights the Dolphins’ confidence in Malik Willis

Newly hired defensive coordinator Sean Duggan and passing game coordinator Ryan Downard both spent time in Green Bay and had firsthand experience working around Willis there. Miami further strengthened that familiarity by adding senior personnel executive Jon Robinson, the former Tennessee Titans general manager. That’s the man who originally drafted Willis. No wonder the Dolphins believe in Willis’ abilities.

As a third-round rookie, Willis signed a four-year contract worth about $5.1 million. His new Dolphins contract is reportedly set to pay him way more. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the new three-year deal is worth $67.5M deal, with $45M fully guaranteed.

He will receive a $22.5 million signing bonus as part of his new contract. The deal also includes $1.25 million that is fully guaranteed for the 2026 season and another $21.5 million fully guaranteed for 2027. However, this deal will not become official until the league year begins on Wednesday.

The bucks they are willing to pay the quarterback aren’t over the top. But let us not forget that for a team up against the salary cap, it is a significant amount, and it is a bit higher than what the New York Jets paid Justin Fields last season.

Although the Dolphins are losing $99 million in dead money to Tagovailoa, Malik is certainly much cheaper. All eyes will now be on whether his production can top Tagovailoa’s mark and if he has what it takes to guide the team to the playoffs, eventually.

But what happens to Tua Tagovailoa?

The team released the quarterback after failing to successfully trade him. He is one of four veteran quarterbacks expected to enter the market once the new league year begins, joining Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins, and Geno Smith. He may not remain available for long, however, as the Atlanta Falcons are reportedly expected to make a strong push to sign him in free agency.

If the Falcons really want to snatch him away, they won’t be able to do so until Wednesday, when he is officially released. Here’s the thing: Once the team parts ways with Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr. would be the only quarterback in Atlanta. Unfortunately, he isn’t healthy after he tore his ACL last season. It isn’t clear if he will be able to start next season. That’s where Tagovailoa could benefit.

His presence would provide the franchise with an experienced veteran. Plus, both Penix and Tagovailoa are left-handed, which means head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will find it easy to design plays around both. Now, all we have to do is wait and watch.