Malik Willis Faces Doubts Before Dolphins Host Bengals

The Miami Dolphins entered their matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals seeking their first win of the season as quarterback Malik Willis faced criticism over his first four starts. Miami, playing at Hard Rock Stadium, had scored fewer points per game than any other NFL team and had not held a lead.

According to the Miami Herald, Willis acknowledged his performance had not met his own standards as the Dolphins remained 0-4. The team is evaluating whether he can become its long-term starting quarterback while owing him more than $21 million in guaranteed money in 2027.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald assessed Willis' opening stretch with the Dolphins by writing: "The first four games of Malik Willis' audition to become the Dolphins franchise quarterback can be summed up thusly: Not nearly good enough — and yet, during fleeting moments, tantalizing enough to not totally rule out the possibility that he could become one."

Jackson added that the quarterback still had shown arm strength, mobility and athletic ability despite the early struggles.

"You can't determine anything definitively after four games, particularly when several of the players around Willis are underperforming or simply not good enough. But we're still waiting for the game where the Dolphins have reason to emerge saying "we have our guy!" Or at least "I think we do." A month in, that game hasn't happened," wrote Jackson.

Willis discussed the challenge of facing Cincinnati's defensive front, which added Dexter Lawrence and other pass-rush talent, according to the Dolphins.

"They're just a relentless front. They work hard. They have some moves.

I try not to get too detailed into that when I'm talking on here, but they do a great job. They added Dexter Lawrence, a big time guy. We played him last year in Green Bay.

We just got to… I trust our guys and we just got to continue to work hard to attack the plan that we have and do what we can to execute it when the time comes," said Malik Willis, quarterback.

Willis also addressed accountability after the Dolphins' winless start and offensive struggles.

"I mean, speaking of holding myself to the level of accountability I try to, it's not good enough," said Malik Willis, quarterback.

Willis explained his decision-making on a third-down play against the Vikings that drew attention after he threw to Chris Bell instead of Kevin Coleman Jr.

"These are high-speed decisions. I threw the ball and he ran over there. That's how they play Cover Zero; it's vision based.

But yeah, it looked good after the play. I'm never going to take back anything I do out there. I have no regrets.

We have plays called a certain type of way and I'm trying to execute them the best I can as we are taught," said Malik Willis, quarterback.

Willis said the offense focused on execution rather than outside reactions after the play.

"I mean, we're trying to continue to drive," said Malik Willis, quarterback.

Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik defended Willis' decision while noting the play's importance.

"That play was a critical moment in the game," said Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator.

Slowik said the team wanted aggression against an all-out blitz and believed the quarterback had options available.

"You want to be aggressive about cover zero," said Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator.

Slowik also expressed confidence in Bell's ability to win contested catches.

"Come out with that a hundred times out of hundred," said Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator.

Slowik said Willis continued adapting to a new offensive system and was improving during practice.

"Malik Willis has been doing just fine," said Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator.

Wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. said he would not second-guess Willis after the play and had discussed the situation with him.

"I let him figure it out," said Kevin Coleman Jr., wide receiver.

Willis said he avoids social media reactions surrounding his performances.

"I just don't know about it. It's just too much tomfoolery and you can't ever win. They just want to make you feel some type of way. And I don't feel no type of way anyways," said Malik Willis, quarterback.

The Dolphins prepared for the Bengals after four games without a victory, with Willis saying the team needed to improve execution before the next opportunity.

"I think we have to continue to improve and stay on that path upwards," said Malik Willis, quarterback.

Willis also described his progress with receivers and the need to correct mistakes while building chemistry.

"We just got to continue to grow him and keep him confident even when a mistake is made. Just continuing to be on his side and let him know that, regardless of how you go down, like just learn from it. When you get the opportunity again, you never do it again. Like I said, keeping him confident," said Malik Willis, quarterback.