Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis catches some notable praise from a place that means more than most
The old-school Miami Dolphins are a tough breed. One of them just gave a strong bit of praise to new quarterback Malik Willis.
The standard of football in South Florida has long been set by the former, legendary head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Don Shula. Shula may no longer be with us, but his standard and legacy is carried on by plenty of men who suited up for him over the years.
They’re a tough bunch to impress. I’ve found that out myself over the years, while spending time at Miami Dolphins training camp and working media coverage around the team. They all want the same thing: the Miami Dolphins to be restored to that lofty standard. And when they’ve decided someone isn’t capable of fulfilling it, the Dolphins alumni aren’t afraid to speak their mind. And that’s why what former Miami Dolphins defender Kim Bokamper had to say about quarterback Malik Willis caught my attention during Bokamper’s most recent episode of the ‘Out To Pasture’ podcast with fellow Dolphins alumni Joe Rose.
Malik Willis gets a nice endorsement from one of the old-school Miami Dolphins
“I like (Malik Willis) personality-wise. He’s a leadership guy. He’s always out the guy out in the front. He wants to be the leader. He wants to be that quarterback. All that stuff’s good, but when the rubber hits the road, you got to be able to play. So, that’s going to be an interesting thing.”
— Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Kim Bokamper on QB Malik Willis
Both Bokamper and Rose exuded their belief that Malik Willis is, indeed, going to be the team’s starting quarterback this season. The investment in free agency tells us that, too. So no real surprise there — at least for now. But it’s the leadership comments that should be considered a major nod of respect from the old guard to the new.
As Bokamper also mentions, your play has to back things up. And we can’t, unfortunately, sim to the start of the regular season in order to start getting a feel for how Willis is going to show up for the Dolphins in 2026. But we can read between the lines of what either end of the spectrum will mean. A strong season by Willis in 2026, with an unproven group of wide receivers to work with, will only add more fuel to the team’s belief that Willis is their guy.
A poor or injury-riddled season by Willis? Well, that likely means a high draft choice. And with 2027 marking the end of Willis’ guarantees? You know what that probably means. For now, though? The old guard likes what they see. That should count for something until we start counting points on the scoreboard this fall.
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