{
  "id": 13082297,
  "title": "Chris Perkins: Evaluating Dolphins QB Malik Willis at the one-quarter mark of season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/chris-perkins-evaluating-dolphins-qb-malik-willis-at-the-one-quarter",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T09:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/chris-perkins-evaluating-dolphins-qb-093000575.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Miami Gardens, Florida — Initially, I harbored doubts regarding the Dolphins' selection of quarterback Malik Willis in the offseason. However, after evaluating Willis' performances over the first four games, roughly a quarter of the 17-game season, my perspective has shifted. While I still believe he may not be the franchise quarterback just yet, there is potential in his play that is worth the team's consideration.\n\nAs the general manager who initially had reservations about Willis, it's evident that my viewpoint has evolved. In my initial columns, I argued that signing Willis could jeopardize the reputations of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley. Nevertheless, Willis has demonstrated progress in a few key areas that suggest he could be an asset for the Dolphins moving forward.\n\nOne significant advantage of Willis' performance lies in his ability to set up advantageous situations for the offense. Overall, he has been successful in doing so, although this remains a work in progress for the entire team, not just Willis. Despite occasional self-inflicted damage, Willis has shown a capacity for improvement and is learning how to navigate the red zone, where the Dolphins are currently struggling.\n\nOffensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and head coach Jeff Hafley have been candid about the team's struggles, acknowledging that the Dolphins lead the league in penalties on the opponent's side of the field and in sacks from that area. Willis has acknowledged the need for better decision-making, such as throwing away the ball when scrambling from dangerous positions, and has taken steps to address this issue.\n\nWhile Willis' offense is currently talent-bare, even with the limitations of a rebuild, there's no denying that the Dolphins will likely need to address the quarterback position in the future. The selection of a quarterback in the second or third rounds is still recommended, although the possibility of using the 2027 first-round draft pick on a quarterback should not be discounted.\n\nOverall, Willis has shown signs of growth and a promising future, but the extent of his potential as a franchise quarterback remains to be seen. While he is not at that level yet, it's clear that he's making progress and learning from his mistakes. As the season continues, it's essential to evaluate Willis on a month-to-month basis, rather than simply judging him by his week-to-week performance.",
  "summary": "MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — I wasn’t a fan of the Miami Dolphins signing quarterback Malik Willis in the offseason. So what’s my evaluation of Willis after four games, roughly the one-quarter mark of the 17-game season? I kinda like him. I see potential there. Yeah, this represents a bit of a change. I’m the guy who wrote two columns during the offseason saying that the Dolphins should not sign ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Dolphins CB Chris Johnson splits snaps like star Devon Witherspoon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/dolphins-cb-chris-johnson-splits-snaps-like-star-devon-witherspoon",
        "published": "2026-10-09T10:53:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}