Malik Willis Leads the New Miami Dolphins QB Depth Chart for 2026

The Miami Dolphins enter the 2026 offseason with a transformative look in their quarterback room. Following the departure of longtime starter Tua Tagovailoa to the Atlanta Falcons, the franchise has officially pivoted toward a new era under head coach Jeff Hafley. As of April 2026, the organizational focus has shifted toward dynamic mobility and high-efficiency passing, reflected in a reconstructed depth chart that prioritizes upside and developmental continuity.

The current quarterback hierarchy for the Miami Dolphins is structured as follows:

This transition marks one of the most significant schematic shifts in South Florida in over half a decade. By moving on from the timing-based, West Coast principles of the previous regime to a system that leverages Malik Willis’s dual-threat capabilities, the Dolphins are betting on a higher offensive ceiling in a crowded AFC East.

Malik Willis Steps into the Starting Role

Malik Willis arrives in Miami not as a raw prospect, but as a refined veteran who rehabilitated his career trajectory during a successful two-year stint with the Green Bay Packers. After being traded from Tennessee, Willis spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons operating as a high-level backup and spot starter. His statistical profile during that period revealed a quarterback who had finally synced his elite physical tools with professional-grade decision-making.

Why Malik Willis Fits the Hafley System

Head coach Jeff Hafley, known for his defensive acumen and preference for complementary football, required a quarterback who could mitigate pass-rush pressure through escapability. In the 2025 season, Willis demonstrated a completion percentage north of 65% in limited action, showing significant improvement in his intermediate-range accuracy.

In our evaluation of his recent tape, Willis has shown a newfound patience in the pocket. Unlike his early career in Nashville, where he often bailed on clean pockets, his 2025 film suggests a player comfortable climbing the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. This maturity is vital for a Dolphins offense that still features elite speed on the perimeter with players like Jaylen Waddle.

Statistical Expectations for QB1

Observers expect Willis to handle approximately 30-35 passing attempts per game while adding a legitimate dimension to the RPO (Run-Option) game. His ability to stress the edges of the defense will theoretically open more vertical lanes for the Dolphins’ track-star receivers. The transition from Tua Tagovailoa's quick-release, anticipation-heavy style to Willis’s "create-and-extend" playstyle represents a fundamental change in how defensive coordinators must prepare for Miami.

The Development of Quinn Ewers

Quinn Ewers remains the most intriguing name on the Dolphins' depth chart. Selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Texas, Ewers was initially viewed as a developmental project with high-pedigree talent but inconsistent collegiate production.

From Rookie Project to Primary Backup

During his rookie campaign in 2025, Ewers served as the emergency third-stringer for much of the season behind Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson. However, the coaching staff was reportedly impressed by his arm talent and "point-guard" mentality during scout team reps. By mid-October 2025, Ewers had already begun pushing Wilson for the backup role, even briefly leapfrogging him on the active roster for specific game-day matchups.

In 2026, Ewers is no longer just a "look-and-see" prospect. He has added roughly 10 pounds of muscle to his frame to better withstand the rigors of the NFL. His challenge this season will be mastering the nuances of Jeff Hafley’s playbook. If Willis struggles with consistency, the calls for Ewers will be loud, given his natural ability to throw from multiple arm angles—a trait that remains elite even by NFL standards.

Does Ewers Have Starter Potential?

While Ewers lacks the prototypical "cannon" arm of some of his AFC peers, his game intelligence is his greatest asset. In the 2026 preseason, the Dolphins are expected to give Ewers the lion's share of reps to determine if he can be a viable long-term successor or if the team needs to dip back into the draft in 2027. His development is the "X-factor" for the Dolphins' long-term stability at the position.

The Departure of Tua Tagovailoa and the End of an Era

The 2026 offseason move that saw Tua Tagovailoa join the Atlanta Falcons was the culmination of a tumultuous 2025 season. Despite flashes of brilliance, Tagovailoa’s 2025 campaign was statistically the most challenging of his career. Following a disappointing loss to the Steelers in late 2025, the team was officially eliminated from playoff contention, leading to internal questions about the franchise’s direction.

The Turning Point in late 2025

The decision to move on from Tagovailoa wasn't just about on-field performance; it was about the team's health and financial flexibility. Tua's injury history remained a constant cloud over the organization. In late 2025, then-coach Mike McDaniel admitted that "everything was on the table" regarding the quarterback position. When the 2026 offseason arrived, the Dolphins opted for a fresh start, allowing Tua to seek a new environment in Atlanta while they recalibrated around a more mobile archetype in Malik Willis.

This departure also coincided with the firing of Chris Grier and the subsequent hiring of Jeff Hafley, signaling a desire for a "tougher" brand of football that relied less on the finesse of the timing-passing game and more on physical dominance and explosive playmaking.

Comparing the 2025 and 2026 Depth Charts

The contrast between last season and the current roster is stark. In 2025, the room was built around Tua Tagovailoa, with Zach Wilson serving as a reclamation project backup.

The Zach Wilson Experiment

Zach Wilson’s tenure in Miami was short-lived. Signed to a one-year, $6 million contract in the 2025 offseason, Wilson was intended to provide a veteran insurance policy. However, Wilson struggled to grasp the complexities of the system and was often outshined by the rookie Ewers in practice sessions. By the end of the 2025 season, it was clear that Wilson was not the answer, leading to his exit and opening the door for the Malik Willis signing in 2026.

Why 2026 Feels Different

The current room of Willis, Ewers, and Miller is significantly more athletic than the 2025 iteration. The 2026 depth chart reflects a modern NFL philosophy: if you don't have a top-three elite pocket passer, you must have a quarterback who can create outside the structure. Willis provides that immediately, while Ewers offers the high-ceiling passing traits that could develop into a top-tier starter.

Schematic Shifts Under Jeff Hafley

With Jeff Hafley at the helm, the Dolphins' offensive identity is expected to mirror the "wide-zone" principles but with a much heavier emphasis on the quarterback's legs.

The Role of the QB in the New Run Game

Miami's backfield, led by De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright, remains one of the fastest in the league. By putting Malik Willis under center, the Dolphins can now run true "triple-option" looks. In our analysis of Hafley’s offensive preferences, the "plus-one" in the run game (using the QB as a runner) is a central tenet. This forces safeties to play closer to the line of scrimmage, which in turn creates the one-on-one matchups that Jaylen Waddle can exploit.

Protecting the Football

A key metric for the 2026 Dolphins will be turnover margin. Willis’s improvement in Green Bay was largely attributed to his reduction in "turnover-worthy plays." In the Hafley system, the quarterback is tasked with being a distributor first and a playmaker second. If Willis can maintain the efficiency he showed in the 2025 preseason and spot starts, Miami’s offense could return to the top-ten rankings.

How to Follow the Dolphins QB Competition

While Willis is the designated starter, the "competition" in Miami is never truly over. The 2026 training camp at Hard Rock Stadium will be the first real look at how Willis and Ewers split reps.

1. OTAs (May/June): Expect Willis to take 90% of the first-team reps as he builds chemistry with Waddle and the offensive line.
2. Training Camp (July/August): This is where Ewers will have the opportunity to showcase his growth. If Ewers can consistently beat the first-team defense in red-zone drills, the pressure on Willis will mount.
3. Preseason Games: Look for Quinn Ewers to play the majority of the second and third quarters. The coaching staff wants to see him handle live-game pressure and defensive adjustments.

Summary of the Miami Dolphins QB Outlook

The Miami Dolphins have successfully navigated a difficult transition period. By moving on from the Tua Tagovailoa era, they have embraced a more versatile and mobile offensive strategy. Malik Willis provides a steady, veteran presence with high-end athletic traits, while Quinn Ewers represents the future of the franchise’s passing game.

This 2026 depth chart is built for the modern NFL—a blend of experience, mobility, and developmental upside. While the "fluidity" of the offseason remains, the core of Willis and Ewers gives Dolphins fans a clear vision of the team's direction.

FAQ: Miami Dolphins Quarterback Depth Chart

Who is the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback for 2026?

Malik Willis is the designated starter (QB1) for the Miami Dolphins heading into the 2026 season. He was signed following a successful tenure as a backup in Green Bay.

What happened to Tua Tagovailoa?

Tua Tagovailoa left the Miami Dolphins in the 2026 offseason to join the Atlanta Falcons. The move marked the end of his six-year stint in Miami as the team sought a schematic change.

Is Quinn Ewers the future starter for the Dolphins?

Quinn Ewers, a 2025 seventh-round pick, is currently the primary backup. The organization views him as a high-upside developmental player who could challenge for the starting role in the future if he continues his current trajectory.

Who is the third-string quarterback for the Dolphins?

Cam Miller is currently listed as the third-string quarterback (QB3), providing depth and scout team support for the roster.

How does Malik Willis's style differ from Tua Tagovailoa's?

Malik Willis is a dual-threat quarterback with significant running ability and a strong arm, allowing the Dolphins to utilize more RPO and "off-platform" playmaking. Tua Tagovailoa relied more on quick processing, timing, and anticipation within the pocket.