Malik Willis briefed on Jaylen Waddle trade before it happened

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 27: Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis #2 warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field on December 27, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Earlier this month, the Miami Dolphins shocked their fan base by trading one of the team's most beloved and dynamic stars - wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The former first round pick was packaged with a fourth round pick and sent to the Denver Broncos in exchange for 2026 first, third and fourth round selections.

While plenty of Fins fans were caught off guard by the deal, newly acquired quarterback Malik Willis was not.

On Friday, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN revealed that new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley gave Willis a heads up" before offloading Waddle to Denver. Wolfe went on to state that Miami's new dynamic signal caller is still all in on the plan" when it comes to the organization's rebuild.

In regards to the team's investment in Willis, according to Wolfe, the Dolphins feel like they have a potential answer to the franchise's longtime quarterback conundrum.

This isn't a shock or adjustment... Malik Willis was signed because they view him as a potential long-term answer [at the quarterback position]. He's not just a Band-Aid' addition... He is there to be the starter. The Dolphins do plan to continue to add competition, so don't be surprised if they draft a quarterback in April... But this is a clear runway for Malik Willis with a young team to show that he can be the long-term answer and give Jeff Hafley's squad something to believe in in year one of the rebuild as well.

Malik Willis has bright opportunity at start of Dolphins rebuild & plenty of draft picks to grow with him.

I'm told Miami kept Willis in the loop informing him before Jaylen Waddle trade: sign of how org feels about him.

More on new Dolphins/Willis for @nflnetwork The Insiders: pic.twitter.com/xokv0NCbwy

- Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 28, 2026

We will continue to keep you updated on all things Miami Dolphins as the 2026 NFL Draft is set to kick off in less than one month's time.