With the departure of former starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the arrival of assumed 2026-2027 starting quarterback Malik Willis I asked the following question this past week:
With the new regime bringing in Malik Willis to lead the Dolphins offense, do you hope to see the coaching staff attempt to transition him into more of a traditional pocket passer with above-average scamble ability, or would you prefer that they stick to what he has been good to great at up until now and build an offensive identity centered around the option-heavy run-first style?
Below are some of your thoughts and answers-
glen55 wants to see the coaching staff keep things simple in Willis’ first year as a full time starter.
Here’s what I think: Don’t get him killed this year. Run a vanilla NFL offense based on drop-back passing. Give the three young OL a chance to develop, keep an eye on them and give Willis a year’s starter experience at reading NFL defenses and making plays (and getting evaluated).
Then, depending on what happens in ’26, you either resign Jackson and keep the same line-up or probably more likely move Proctor to RT and either draft a blue-chip guard or sign a good one to replace him. Hope Savi develops and if not you kind of have to re-sign Jackson and keep Proctor where he is and still get a good new guard. Try to get a solid power runner to have a thunder and lightning duo and come out next year with a run-based offense with a fair bit of run/pass option mixed in.
I vote against the triple scoop of Achane this year, don’t run his miles up on a team that is probably not going very far. If they get a good start, then maybe you do.
Gllmiaspr believes that the staff will build the playbook around the talent that they have.
The playbook they develop will be based in the supporting cast. I suspect that this season Willis will run the ball a little more than usual since there are no established receivers. The good thing is that based on last year, Willis is able to throw the ball deep and run for a first down so defenses will be kept guessing. I do not think the will go in with the mindset to discourage Willis from running because he can do it well and the Dolphins will need his running ability this year to stay close in a few games.
USMCFinzFreak says to stick with what got him here.
Let him showcase what he can and cannot do. This season should be focusing on his talents or lack thereof.
TheRoo1 believes that the team will roll with a mostly run heavy offense this coming season.
Let the season start as a run heavy offense, with maybe 25 to 35% of the plays being scripted as short to intermediate pass plays. And as he gains confidence in his catchers, let the entire field come into play.
But I doubt that either this year or next you see a pass heavy offense un less Willis is out.
He can throw it, but his primary weapons will be Achane and his legs.
SuperG! says don’t change a thing!
Just let him do whatever he was doing in Cheese Land, throwing accurate passes.
MIAMI235 wants them to stick to fundamentals and hopefully someone or a few someone’s will step up.
Fundamentally sound plays first and see if they can effectively master that…..based on personnel availabile.
Eventually, someone or a group of someone’s need to step up.
Phoenix6 doesn’t believe it’s realistic to expect him to be a traditional pocket guy.
He won’t ever be a “traditional” pocket passer.
Coaches should not attempt to make him that… at all.
Stick to what he has been good to great at up until now, & build the offensive identity by centering it around the option-heavy run-first style.
Teach him pocket presence… to scoot away from pressure… extend plays… & allow him to take & run if the lane or field is open in front of him.
Also, he must protect the football in any of those times.
PA phinphan wants to see them let him be him while mixing in some deep throws.
I am all for letting Malik do what he does best and run an option-heavy run first style. But I still want to take advantage of his arm strength and push the ball vertical on purpose every once and awhile.
MiamiItaliano says ditto!
Stick with what Malik does best. Option heavy, run first style. Malik plus Achane will give defensive coordinators migraines trying to plan for that.
There appears to be a consensus that Willis should play to his strengths by leaning heavily on an option-based offense, while still utilizing his strong arm and deep-ball accuracy to stretch the field. As always thank you to each one of you who shows up every evening, answers our Phinsider Question Of The Day and participates in the debate.