Free Agent Options1 of 2

While free agency is not overflowing with talent at quarterback, there are a couple of potential long-term options, and others who could serve as solid stopgaps until a long-term answer is found.

By far the most intriguing of the free-agent quarterbacks is Malik Willis, who was the Green Bay Packers’ backup for the past two seasons.

Originally selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans, Willis did not throw a single touchdown pass in two seasons with the Titans before getting traded to the Packers.

While his opportunities were limited in Green Bay behind Jordan Love, he largely impressed when he played. Willis went 2-0 in two starts in 2024, throwing for 550 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, while also rushing for 138 yards and one score.

Last season, Willis lost his only start, but in four appearances overall, he threw for 422 yards, three touchdowns and no picks, and also rushed for 123 yards and two scores.

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Willis does have a link to the Dolphins, as new head coach Jeff Hafley was the Packers’ defensive coordinator during Willis’ tenure with the team.

Kyler Murray is a far more established option, and he perhaps represents the best combination of experience and upside.

Murray was the Arizona Cardinals’ starting quarterback for parts of seven seasons after getting selected first overall in the 2019 NFL draft.

He was the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019, earned Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2021, and led the Cards to the playoffs in 2021.

However, that was his only playoff appearance during his time in Arizona, and injuries limited him throughout his tenure, as he missed multiple games in four of the past five seasons, including 12 last season and nine in 2023.

In 87 starts with the Cards, Murray went 38-48-1, completing 67.1 percent of his passes for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions, in addition to rushing for 3,193 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Arizona cut Murray after his injury-plagued 2025 season, but he is still just 28 years old, and his dual-threat ability could make him dangerous in Miami alongside wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane.

Kirk Cousins and Geno Smith are less exciting possibilities, but they are both experienced veterans who can effectively run an NFL offense.

Cousins, 37, spent the past two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons after a successful, six-year run with the Minnesota Vikings that featured three Pro Bowl selections.

Amid his struggles, which included a league-high 16 interceptions, Cousins lost the Falcons’ starting job to Michael Penix Jr. late in the 2024 season and started 2025 as a backup.

He returned to a starting role after Penix tore his ACL and finished last season with a 5-3 record, while completing 61.7 percent of his passing attempts for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five picks.

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Smith had three highly productive years as the Seattle Seahawks’ starting quarterback from 2022 to 2024, earning two Pro Bowl nods, going 27-22 and throwing for 12,226 yards, 71 touchdowns and 35 interceptions.

He was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders prior to the 2025 season and proceeded to have a nightmarish year before getting released.

The 35-year-old Smith went 2-13 and completed 67.4 percent of his passes for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns and a league-high 17 picks.

Both Cousins and Smith would likely only be one-year starters in Miami barring something unexpected, but it would allow the organization to recalibrate and select a quarterback in the first round of the 2027 NFL draft.