First-year Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said quarterback Malik Willis is still learning the demands of a full-time starting job after Sunday’s 24-10 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs dropped Miami to 0-3.
The Dolphins stayed within one score of the unbeaten Chiefs until the final minutes at Hard Rock Stadium. Kansas City improved to 3-0. Miami’s previous two defeats were by 14 and 22 points.
Willis completed 20 of 36 passes for 210 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He finished with a 61.1 passer rating and added a team-high 56 rushing yards on nine carries. He also lost a fumble.
Those passing numbers left Willis at 49 of 86 for 627 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions through three games. His season passer rating sits at 74.1. He has run for 101 yards and one score.
Hafley pointed to Willis’ limited starting background. Willis had started only six NFL games before this season across earlier stints with the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers. He signed a three-year contract with Miami in March.
“I think sometimes we forget that this is (Malik Willis’) first year really being a starting quarterback, which is way different than coming in at spot duty and playing a few games,” Hafley said. “I thought he improved today and I’m excited to see the film.”
Miami played without wide receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle) and lost Pro Bowl running back De’Von Achane on the opening series. Achane tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season. Backup Jaylen Wright was inactive with a foot injury.
Ollie Gordon II took over and carried 17 times for 41 yards and a three-yard touchdown. The Dolphins rushed 31 times for 119 yards, averaging 3.8 yards per carry.
Miami answered Kansas City’s opening touchdown with a 17-play, 91-yard drive that tied the game 7-7. The Dolphins held the ball for 34 minutes, 21 seconds compared with 25:39 for the Chiefs and converted 8 of 16 third downs.
They went 0-for-3 on fourth down, including a failed fourth-and-5 near midfield with 5:56 remaining and the score 17-10. Patrick Mahomes then hit Travis Kelce for an 11-yard touchdown that made it 24-10.
Mahomes completed 20 of 24 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Kenneth Walker III scored twice for Kansas City.
Miami has scored 36 points in three games, last in the AFC East and among the lowest totals in the league. The Dolphins are allowing 28.7 points per game. Their offense ranks 31st in scoring at 12.0 points per game.
Willis declined to grade his own performance until he reviewed the tape.
“I have to watch the film,” Willis said. “We lost, so it can’t be a passing grade, unfortunately.”
Asked about Achane’s absence, Willis said the rest of the offense has to fill the gap.
“We’re all in this together,” Willis said. “So when one person goes down, it shouldn’t be a drop off or anything like that. It should be next person step up.”
Hafley was hired in January after two seasons as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator and four years as Boston College’s head coach. He is 0-3 in his first NFL head-coaching season.
Miami visits the 3-0 Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.
