Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis received a reported three‑year, $67.5 million offer from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, intensifying free‑agency chatter ahead of the 2026 offseason. The bid mirrors his current Miami deal, leaving both clubs to weigh risk and reward.
Willis, 26, entered Miami after brief stops with the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers, posting 105 completions for 1,322 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions in 22 games. His dual‑threat skill set fits the Dolphins’ open‑air attack, but limited starter experience keeps his price tag under scrutiny.
What the Browns’ interest says about the quarterback market
The Cleveland move underscores how thin the pool of affordable, high‑upside quarterbacks has become. By targeting Willis, the Browns signal a willingness to spend big on a player who could become a starter in a rebuilding offense.
Key contract details and statistical backdrop
Willis’ existing three‑year, $67.5 million contract carries a $22.5 million average annual value. His career passer rating sits around 84.5, and his rushing yards per game rank in the top ten for QBs with fewer than 30 starts. Cleveland reportedly hopes to trim the offer slightly while still reflecting starter market value.
Impact and next steps for both franchises
Miami front‑office brass now face a fork in the road: keep Willis for continuity or pivot to a draft‑centric rebuild, using the $30 million cap space left after his deal. The Browns, meanwhile, see Willis as a youthful arm that could pair with a revamped offensive line, but the financial commitment may limit other free‑agency moves.
Malik Willis’ market value in context
Malik Willis’ contract places him among the league’s higher‑paid QBs with limited starts. If Cleveland matches Miami’s terms, the deal would rank as the third‑largest for a quarterback with under 30 career starts, setting a new benchmark for high‑upside, low‑experience players.
Key Developments
- Willis’ contract includes a $15 million guaranteed roster bonus that accelerates if he is released before the third year, affecting Cleveland’s dead‑money calculations.
- Cleveland hired a former NFL scouting director to run a deep‑film review of Willis’ play‑action efficiency, a metric not publicly disclosed in his Miami tenure.
- Analysts at ESPN highlighted the Browns’ need for a long‑term quarterback solution on the same day the rumor broke, underscoring the timing of the offer.
Why this matters: The offer forces the Miami Dolphins to decide whether to double down on a quarterback who shows dual‑threat potential or to cash in on cap space and rebuild through the draft.
What is Malik Willis’s career passer rating?
Willis posted an 84.5 passer rating over 22 NFL games, placing him near the league median for quarterbacks with comparable experience.
How does the Browns’ quarterback situation influence their interest?
Cleveland entered the 2026 offseason without a clear starter after trading veteran Deshaun Watson, prompting the front office to explore high‑upside options like Willis.
What cap space does Miami have after Willis’s contract?
The Dolphins retain roughly $30 million in cap flexibility following Willis’s three‑year, $67.5 million deal, allowing them to chase additional playmakers.
How does Willis’s rushing ability compare league‑wide?
Willis ranks in the top ten for rushing yards per game among quarterbacks with fewer than 30 starts, highlighting his dual‑threat potential.
What could happen if Cleveland matches the offer?
If the Browns match Miami’s $67.5 million figure, the deal becomes the third‑largest contract for a quarterback with under 30 career starts, setting a new market benchmark.
