標籤: Willis

To the dismay of Miami Dolphins fans, new starting quarterback Malik Willis has joined the list of worst MLB first pitch tosses of all time.

On the surface, throwing the first pitch in an MLB game should be pretty easy. This is something that many Americans were able to do easily as children. But this can be a panic-inducing situation. Not just because television cameras and thousands of people in the stadium are watching it. No, many people are now afraid of the terrible throw going viral.

However, generally, some of the worst first pitch throws fans have seen come from celebrities who did not become famous for their athletic prowess. Often, athletes are better prepared for the spotlight of the moment and are reliable at throwing a solid first pitch. Especially if they come from sports where they throw balls for a living.

That’s why it looked like Dolphins free agent Malik Willis would accomplish that goal by throwing out the first pitch before the Miami Marlins’ game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. Well, he didn’t and joined 50 Cent, Conor McGregor, and Darth Vader for the worst first pitches of all time.

Not only did he not hit the target, but he dispatched it just as McGregor had embarrassingly done in a Chicago Cubs game five years earlier. For a player who is being paid $67.5 million for the next three years, Dolphins fans should be a little concerned about the guy who will be their starting QB in 2026.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Despite an unsuccessful performance at Tennessee and being the backup in Green Bay the last two years, if teams like the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns or Pittsburgh Steelers wanted to sign Malik Willis in free agency, it would be a ridiculous price.

While they had different results in 2025, the Dolphins, Browns and Steelers are all entering the offseason with the same issues. Figuring out who will be their starting quarterback next season.

Miami is expected to move on from Tua Tagovailoa this offseason after disappointing performances over the past two seasons and a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2023. Cleveland has options like Deshaun Watson and Shadure Sanders, but rumors suggest they will look at the QB market this offseason. Pittsburgh could run it back with Aaron Rodgers in 2026, but they need to find a long-term option at the position.

That’s why reports and speculation have linked all three to impending free agent Malik Willis. The third-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft is viewed as the best QB available in free agency despite starting his career with the Tennessee Titans and then serving as a backup for the Green Bay Packers in 2024 and 2025.

Could Malik Willis get a deal worth more than $30 million annually?

Willis’ time in Green Bay and what he showed in limited action last season has created a lot of talk that the 26-year-old could be the next Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones. Due to the weak QB market this offseason and his untapped potential, Willis is clearly attracting a lot of interest, and it is driving up the asking price for teams that want to sign him.

As NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports, “As expected, Packers free agent QB Malik Willis is in demand, and the interested teams I spoke to at the combine in Indianapolis believe him getting at least $30 million per year is a foregone conclusion.”

A deal in the thirties would get them the same money as Darnold and Baker Mayfield. Players who proved more than enough during their careers and reached the playoffs. That’s a surprising amount of money Willis could get, but it’s the going rate for a demanding position that garners some of the biggest contracts in the NFL.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

On March 9, NFL teams will be able to begin negotiating with free agents. After two days they can sign the contract. One of the top free agents available this offseason is Malik Willis, who is set for free agency after two impressive seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

While Willis is unproven, he is viewed as one of the best free agent quarterbacks available. Some teams may also be looking at him as a potential starter after leading the Packers to a 2-1 record the past two seasons.

Of course, for every Sam Darnold success story, there are two or three others who don’t make it, like Justin Fields. Still, for teams that don’t have a franchise QB, taking a chance on a potential starter is often worth the gamble.

Many teams will be looking for a starting quarterback this offseason. As notes, Willis’ market will be driven by how many suitors he has in free agency. Thus, Willis contract estimates are quite scattered.

Florio suggests that Willis could “cash in” by receiving a contract ranging from $20 million per season to $40 million per year. However, their official prediction is that Willis ultimately signs a deal worth between $20 and $30 million per season.

Fields received a two-year, $40 million contract from the Jets last season. Now it appears that Willis, a former third-round pick who will be 27 when the season starts, could be considering a similar contract. But again, it all depends on how many teams are interested.

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Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ