The latest NFL contract has the Miami Dolphins’ Malik Willis gamble looking better than ever
The Miami Dolphins’ investment in QB Malik Willis is looking better than ever.
It wasn’t all that long ago that the Miami Dolphins and the Arizona Cardinals were reported to be the two leaders in the race to sign QB Malik Willis in free agency. Miami, of course, won that contest and inked the fifth-year quarterback to a 3-year, $67.5 million contract in March.
While the upside and appeal for Willis’ game is obvious, his contract did draw skepticism from plenty of voices. Too much money, too much risk. Not enough proof of concept. But as a former Miami Dolphin once said, ‘the market is the market’. The latest quarterback adjustment proves it — and it comes from that team Miami edged out for Willis: the Arizona Cardinals.
The Miami Dolphins’ Malik WIllis gamble looks better than ever after Arizona folds their cards to Jacoby Brissett
Arizona’s incumbent quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, saw his contract given a major bump on Sunday. Originally scheduled to make just about $5 million in compensation this season, Brissett’s new base salary is north of $15 million for 2026. Incentives leave the door open for Brissett to earn north of $20 million, too. It’s a hefty price for a 33-year old journeyman quarterback, especially given Arizona’s initial pivot after missing out on Willis.
When Willis committed to Miami, Arizona switched their attention in free agency to Gardner Minshew. He signed for $5.75 million while Brissett was on his cheaper contract. But with this adjustment and a new commitment to Brissett, the Cardinals’ quarterback room is nearly as expensive, if not more, than the cost the Miami Dolphins paid for Malik Willis. But there’s a key difference between the two situations: Miami got upside with their investment. Arizona got floor.
Spending $22.5 million this season on a 27-year old quarterback with the upside of a starter certainly sounds more appealing than paying $21.5 million to $26.75 million to a combination of Brissett and Gardner Minshew. Willis isn’t a sure thing. And his $45 million guaranteed at signing is a heavier cost than Arizona’s room. But the Cardinals can’t claim to have a serious long-term option. The Miami Dolphins might. And that is worth the price of admission — especially now that we see the cost of the alternative.
Miami Dolphins News