Green Bay Packers fans have grown accustomed to watching quarterbacks develop, shine, and sometimes move on to new chapters. Malik Willis’ departure to the Miami Dolphins this offseason felt like one of those classic NFL storylines: a young talent given a fresh start after proving his worth in limited opportunities.
Yet seeing him slotted in at 30th among starting quarterbacks in the latest Pro Football Focus rankings hits different—especially when his recent play in Green Bay suggested so much more potential.
Willis joined the Packers and stepped into meaningful action during the 2025 season when Jordan Love dealt with injury. In those 11 appearances, he delivered eight touchdowns against just one turnover-worthy play.
That wasn’t just serviceable backup work; it included standout moments, like a near-elite performance against Baltimore in Week 17 that earned him one of the highest single-game grades PFF handed out all year. For a quarterback who had bounced around earlier in his career, it looked like the kind of breakthrough that could vault him into a more prominent role league-wide.
Now, heading into 2026, the Dolphins are banking on Willis as their starter after signing him to a hefty three-year deal. They’re in rebuild mode following a disappointing season, with new leadership at the top. But PFF’s placement of him just ahead of Jacoby Brissett and Deshaun Watson feels dismissive of what Packers fans witnessed firsthand.
Analysts noted his limited sample size as a full-time starter and pointed to Miami’s receiving corps as a potential drag, suggesting his legs might have to carry much of the load. Fair points, perhaps, but it still undervalues the poise and efficiency he showed when thrust into the spotlight in Green Bay.
From our vantage point in Titletown, it’s hard not to feel a twinge of vindication mixed with frustration. Willis turned a second chance into tangible production, helping keep the ship steady during tough stretches.
His arm talent, decision-making under pressure, and undeniable athleticism were evident—qualities that made him an intriguing prospect coming out of college and that seemed to finally click in Green Bay’s system. Watching him ranked so low raises questions about how much weight evaluators give to small-sample heroics versus established track records.
Meanwhile, former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, now with Atlanta, sits two spots higher at 28th despite his own injury history and recent dips in efficiency. The contrast adds another layer for Packers observers: Willis’ ranking seems especially harsh given his upward trajectory compared to others with more inconsistent recent showings.
Ultimately, rankings like these are snapshots, not destinies. Training camp is right around the corner, and Willis will have an entire offseason to build chemistry with his new teammates in Miami.
For Packers fans, the hope is that he silences the doubters and proves that his time in Green Bay was more than a flash—it was the foundation for sustained success.
If he lights it up in South Florida, it’ll only reinforce what many of us already suspected: sometimes the tape tells a better story than the numbers. And Packers fans will be watching with interest.
