Willis is one of the more intriguing sleepers heading into 2026 after parlaying one of the most efficient multi-game stretches from a Fantasy production standpoint while filling in for an injured Jordan Love in 2025 into a starting role in Miami. Fantasy managers will have to ask themselves how much of Willis' production was a product of Matt LaFleur's scheme, a small sample size, and a strong supporting cast, because he won't have any of that in 2026. He joins a Dolphins team with arguably the least desirable wide receiver corps in the NFL. However, Willis flashed top-five QB1 upside in his start against the Ravens in 2025 and has the ability to raise both his floor and ceiling due to his scrambling and designed runs. Willis projects in many ways like Justin Fields did from a Fantasy standpoint heading into last season with the Jets; however, in Willis' case, you won't have to pay the borderline QB1 cost. The Dolphins also have more financial incentive to keep Willis as their starter throughout the entire 2026 season. This makes him arguably the highest-upside QB2 gamble in Fantasy.
Dolphins' Malik Willis: Chemistry with WRs not there yet
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Dolphins head coach Jeff Halfley said Tuesday at the start of mandatory minicamp that Willis building a rapport with his new pass-catching corps is "a work in progress," David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
When Willis signed his three-year, $67.5 million deal in March, Miami still had an established No. 1 receiver in Jaylen Waddle, who has since been traded to Denver. As a result, the Dolphins now enter the summer with a far less proven receiving corps headlined by Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and TE Greg Dulcich, while rookies Caleb Douglas (undisclosed), Chris Bell (ACL) and Kevin Coleman continue to compete for roles. Another factor in Willis' uneven start to OTAs and minicamp has been the absence of De'Von Achane (shoulder), arguably Miami's most dynamic pass catcher, as Achane has been limited to individual drills while recovering from an offseason procedure. OC Bobby Slowik suggested Thursday developing chemistry with the team's receivers will "probably be an ongoing process all the way up to the regular-season start." Much of Willis' fantasy appeal stems from his dual-threat ability, but it would still be encouraging to see the passing game gain traction once training camp begins in July.
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Dolphins' Malik Willis: Gets three-year deal with Miami
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Willis is set to sign a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Dolphins, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Willis will reunite with a pair of familiar faces from his time in Green Bay as he heads to Miami in the form of new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Willis' signing coincides with the announced impending release of Tua Tagovialoa as a post june-1 cut, signaling the start of a new era at quarterback for the Dolphins. Across 11 combined regular-season appearances (three starts) in Green Bay over the last two years, Willis completed an impressive 78 percent of his pass attempts for 972 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions, in addition to 42 carries for 261 yards and three scores. While the Dolphins still need to provide Willis with reliable playmakers beyond wideout Jaylen Waddle (ribs) and running back De'Von Achane, the quarterback's dynamic athleticism and dual-threat abilities signal potential elite fantasy upside if things break right in his new landing spot.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Expected to depart in free agency
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Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday that the team expects Willis to depart in free agency and land with a team that, at minimum, will allow him to compete for a starting job, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Willis will become an unrestricted free agent in March due to the expiration of his rookie contract. Given how well he played in relief of Jordan Love across his two seasons with the Packers, all expectations are that the 2022 third-round pick will be highly sought by quarterback-needy teams. Across 11 combined regular-season appearances between 2024 and 2025, Willis completed 70 of 89 pass attempts (78 percent) for 972 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also rushed 42 times for 261 yards and another three scores. Despite Willis' success and development in coach Matt LaFleur's offense, he will likely pursue greater opportunities with another franchise. As such, Willis stands as a high-upside, under-the-radar trade target, specially in dynasty fantasy formats and those that allow multiple starting quarterbacks.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Plays well in relief
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Willis completed 30 of 35 passes (85.7 percent) for 422 yards and three touchdowns while logging 22 carries for 123 yards and two scores across four regular-season games (one start) for the Packers in 2025.
Willis was thrust into a starting role in Week 17 against the Ravens after Jordan Love suffered a concussion during the Packers' Week 16 overtime loss to the Bears. Willis ended up aggravating a right shoulder injury during the fourth quarter against Baltimore and was replaced by Clayton Tune, and that game ended up being the former's last appearance of the 2025 season. Willis was cast away by the Titans in August of 2024 in favor of Will Levis, but the former has played well in his two years as the Packers' backup behind Love. Willis enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, and while his familiarity with the Packers' offense could sway him to stay in Green Bay, the 2022 third-rounder will have the opportunity to explore his options and sign with a team who can provide a clearer path to winning the starting quarterback job.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Questionable for wild-card game
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Green Bay lists Willis (shoulder/hamstring) as questionable for Saturday's wild-card game in Chicago, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
Though Willis was inactive for the Packers' Week 18 loss to the Vikings due to the injuries to his hamstring and throwing shoulder, head coach Matt LaFleur expressed confidence earlier in the week that the fourth-year quarterback would be ready to back up starter Jordan Love in the postseason opener. However, with Willis not advancing beyond limited practice participation throughout the week, his status for Saturday's contest would appear to be more uncertain than initially expected. In the event Willis isn't available to play against the Bears, the Packers would turn to the newly-signed Desmond Ridder to serve as Love's backup.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Limited again Wednesday
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Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.
Willis attempted to play through an injury to his right throwing shoulder Week 17 against the Ravens but aggravated it late in that contest. He then was inactive this past Sunday in Minnesota, yielding the start to Clayton Tune, who has since been waived. Coach Matt LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic on Tuesday that Jordan Love will start Saturday's wild-card contest in Chicago after missing the last two-and-half games due to a concussion that he suffered in his last visit to Soldier Field in Week 16. At the same time, LaFleur said he anticipates Willis serving as Love's backup this weekend, per Ryan Wood of USA Today. In the end, Willis may need to practice fully Thursday in order to avoid a designation ahead of Saturday's matchup.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Limited Tuesday
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Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) was a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice.
Willis was inactive for the Packers' Week 18 loss to the Vikings while he managed his pair of injuries, but head coach Matt LaFleur said prior to Tuesday's practice that he expects the fourth-year quarterback to be available for Saturday's wild-card game against the Bears, per Ryan Wood of USA Today. However, after starting in the Packers' Week 17 loss to the Ravens, Willis will return to a backup role after LaFleur confirmed that Jordan Love would return to the starting role as Green Bay opens its postseason. As such, Willis will have two more chances to upgrade his activity level at practice and avoid taking a designation into Saturday. Desmond Ridder is also available as a third option at quarterback for the Packers, while the team cut Clayton Tune after his Week 18 spot start.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Inactive Sunday, not emergency QB3
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Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) is listed as inactive Sunday at Minnesota, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
After Jordan Love cleared the concussion protocol Thursday, Willis entered the weekend as Green Bay's least healthy quarterback on the active roster, but the team opted not to elevate Desmond Ridder from the practice squad Saturday, meaning Love and Willis were the potential No. 2 options behind Week 18 starter Clayton Tune. Love will get that honor Sunday, while Willis will be in street clothes as he tends to right shoulder and hamstring injuries.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Still limited at practice
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Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
Willis maintained his activity level from Wednesday's session as he tends to the right shoulder injury that he aggravated this past Saturday against the Ravens. Even if he's able to enter the weekend without a designation for Sunday's game at Minnesota, he doesn't have a chance to start, as coach Matt LaFleur announced Thursday that Clayton Tune will get the Week 18 nod, while Jordan Love cleared concussion protocol.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Exits with shoulder injury
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Willis exited Saturday's game against the Ravens in the fourth quarter with an apparent right shoulder injury and is questionable to return.
Willis injured his shoulder on a follow-through throw in the fourth quarter and immediately sprinted to the locker room to undergo further examination. Prior to leaving the game, Willis was cooking for Green Bay, completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed nine times for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Clayton Tune came on to replace Willis at quarterback and threw an interception on his first pass attempt.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Spot start confirmed
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Willis (right shoulder/illness) is listed as active Saturday against the Ravens and will start in place of Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion), Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
After he sustained a concussion last Saturday at Chicago, Love wasn't able to clear the protocol for head injuries in time to suit up in Week 17, as the Packers ruled him out Friday. Willis remained listed as questionable due to the right shoulder injury he suffered late in the Week 16 loss to the Bears and also the illness that kept him out of Wednesday's practice, but he was the favorite to start Saturday, assuming he was active. Now that that has been confirmed, Willis will direct an offense headlined by RBs Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson, WRs Christian Watson (shoulder/illness), Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden and Dontayvion Wicks and TE Luke Musgrave. Green Bay also elevated QB Clayton Tune from the practice squad to serve as Willis' backup.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Spot start imminent
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Willis (right shoulder/illness) is in line to start Saturday's game versus the Ravens with Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion) expected to be sidelined, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Love wasn't able to progress beyond a limited participant during Week 17 prep as he recovers from the concussion that he sustained last Saturday at Chicago. With clearance from an independent neurologist seemingly not happening before Saturday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff, the Packers will turn to Willis under center. Willis is dealing with a right shoulder injury himself and also sat out Wednesday's practice due to an illness, which have combined to leave him questionable ahead of the weekend. Willis' status will be clarified about 90 minutes before the aforementioned kickoff.
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Packers' Malik Willis: DNP due to illness
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Willis (right shoulder) missed practice Wednesday due to an illness, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
The Packers' top two quarterbacks are dealing with health concerns in the wake of Saturday's loss at Chicago, but Jordan Love (concussion) was able to take part in drills Wednesday, while Willis was absent due to something unrelated to the right shoulder injury he suffered late in Week 16. Willis is the favorite to get the start this Saturday against the Ravens if Love can't make it through the protocol for head injuries, but the former's new ailment adds another element to the QB situation in Green Bay.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Adds/Streamers (QB Preview)
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Last week Willis played a little over half the game, completed nine of 11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 44 yards. Last year he started two games and averaged 21.1 Fantasy points despite throwing just 33 passes in the two games combined. If Love is out I would expect Willis to be a high-end QB2 with QB1 upside.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Tending to shoulder injury
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Coach Matt LaFleur said Sunday that Willis is dealing with a shoulder injury in the wake of Saturday's loss in Chicago, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Willis entered in the middle of the second quarter Saturday after starter Jordan Love endured a hit to the helmet from a Bears defender, and the former finished out the contest after the latter was ruled out due to a concussion. Willis himself was taken the ground late in regulation and landed hard on his right shoulder, which he was favoring as he went to the sideline, and he ended the overtime defeat having completed nine of 11 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while rushing 10 times for 44 yards. Love will need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play next Saturday versus the Ravens, but LaFleur also relayed to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site that Willis is "pretty sore. It's a legitimate deal that he's dealing with. He's another guy we'll see where he's at as we progress." The Packers currently roster QB Clayton Tune on the practice squad, but RB Josh Jacobs and WR Jayden Reed are emergency options at the position, as LaFleur told Hodkiewicz.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Key fumble in OT
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Willis replaced Jordan Love (concussion) with 7:59 remaining in the second quarter and completed nine of 11 passes for 121 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while adding 10 rushes for 44 yards in the Packers' 22-16 overtime loss to the Bears on Saturday night. He also committed a fumble in overtime.
Willis was effective for the majority of his time in the game after Love exited following a sack, eventually throwing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs late in the third quarter to extend a narrow 6-3 lead. Willis also spearheaded a 10-play drive in the fourth quarter that culminated in a field goal, but after marching Green Bay down into Bears territory on the first drive of overtime, Willis failed to secure a fourth-down snap and negated the Packers' chances of keeping the possession going. The Bears took over and closed out the comeback win four plays later on a Caleb Williams touchdown pass to DJ Moore, closing out an otherwise effective performance by Willis on a sour note. If Love is unable to clear concussion protocol in time for next Saturday night's Week 17 home showdown against the Ravens, Willis will draw the start.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Sparks TD drive in win
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Willis completed both of his passes for six yards and one touchdown in the Packers' 27-20 win over the Giants on Sunday. He added 16 yards on one rushing attempt.
Willis filled in on one drive while Jordan Love went to the locker room to be evaluated for an injury, but Love was quickly able to return to action. While in the game, Willis moved the offense and threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson in the second quarter. If Love would need to miss any time to injury, Willis has shown the ability to succeed in coach Matt LaFleur's offense.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Good to go Week 10
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Willis (calf) does not carry an injury designation into Monday's game against the Eagles, Wes Hodklewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
A calf injury limited Willis' practice participation Friday, but the fourth-year quarterback was able to shed an injury tag for Week 10 after logging a full practice Saturday. He has yet to appear in a regular-season game and will continue to serve as Jordan Love's backup.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Cleared for Week 9
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Willis (ankle) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against Carolina, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
An ankle injury limited Willis' practice participation over the last two days of Week 9 prep, but the fourth-year pro has been cleared to serve as Jordan Love's backup quarterback Sunday. Willis has not played a snap this season after appearing in seven regular-season games (two starts) for the Packers in 2024.
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Packers' Malik Willis: Starting vs. Colts
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Willis is positioned to start Saturday's preseason game against the Colts with Jordan Love (thumb) recovering from surgery undergone to address a ligament injury, Jacob Slinkman of SI reports.
Willis' growth as he enters Year 2 in coach Matt LaFleur's scheme will be interesting to monitor, especially after he managed to impress with two early-season wins when called upon to step up under center in 2024 (one of which came Week 2 versus Indianapolis). He'll be tasked with overcoming injuries to the wide receiver corps during Saturday's exhibition tilt, however, with Jayden Reed (foot), Romeo Doubs (back) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) all having missed practice Thursday. The Packers expect Love to resume practicing next week, and the team hasn't expressed any concerns about his status for Week 1.
