Can Malik Willis Be the QB Signing That Finally Works Out?
Let’s be honest, the search for the next great Dolphins quarterback post Dan Marino has been a long and ultimately fruitless one. Since Marino retired, Miami has started 27 different players, and none of them have worked out in the long term. The draft picks are the ones most people remember. From Chad Henne to Ryan Tannehill to Tua Tagovailoa, these men represented a fresh start that only the draft can provide.
However, there is another path that Miami has frequented, that being free agent signings, players who either showed promise with their former squad or were cast off. In this blog, I’ll cover some of the more notable signings during the post-Marino era.
Jay Fiedler
Fiedler is probably the free-agent signing that worked out best for Miami post-Marino. Fiedler was Mark Brunell’s backup in Jacksonville, where he posted a record of 1-0 and showed enough promise for Miami to take a chance on him in 2000. Fiedler really had the unenviable task of following up a legend; despite that pressure, he performed admirably, going 37-25 during his five seasons as the starter. He is the last Miami quarterback to get a win in the playoffs, all the way back in 2000. I recall his play being maligned at the time, but really, we didn’t know how bad things could get.
Gus Frerotte
Frerotte was the definition of a journeyman when he signed with the Dolphins in 2005. By current standards, he was fairly solid, throwing 18 touchdowns to 13 interceptions and leading Miami to a 9-6 record in his starts. Ultimately, he was good but not great, and the team moved on from him after just one season.
Matt Moore
Moore had seen some playing time with the Carolina Panthers before signing with the Dolphins ahead of the 2011 season. He was seen as an insurance policy should rookie Ryan Tannehill get injured. That would end up happening in 2016, after a great start to the year, Moore was thrust into action to steady the ship as Miami made a playoff push. He would go 2-1 as a starter and help Miami secure a playoff spot. Unfortunately in the playoffs he would be on the receiving end of a nasty hit, while he stayed in the game he was clearly affected by the blow. He’s remembered fondly by Miami fans as a decent backup who ended up winning a Super Bowl with Kansas City in 2019.
Jay Cutler
Probably the funniest entry on this list, Jay Cutler was retired before a Tannehill injury forced Miami to lure him out back to the field. He would start 14 games in the 2017 season. In his start, he would go 6-8 with 2,666 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Perhaps the only lasting legacy of Cutler’s time with the Dolphins is this play, where he was uninterested in actually participating.
Seeing these signings laid out back to back makes it clear just how bleak Miami’s quarterback journey has been.
However, that’s just how things are in the NFL; the quarterback is the most important position while also being the most difficult one to fill. Hopefully, Willis will finally be the one to bring sustained success to Miami. I, for one, am excited to see it all play out.
You can follow me on YouTube @WickedGoodEverything and X @TheFakeBMarr
Can Malik Willis Be the QB Signing That Finally Works Out?
Can Malik Willis Be the QB Signing That Finally Works Out?
Let’s be honest, the search for the next great Dolphins quarterback post Dan Marino has been a long and ultimately fruitless one. Since Marino retired, Miami has started 27 different players, and none of them have worked out in the long term. The draft picks are the ones most people remember. From Chad Henne to Ryan Tannehill to Tua Tagovailoa, these men represented a fresh start that only the draft can provide.
However, there is another path that Miami has frequented, that being free agent signings, players who either showed promise with their former squad or were cast off. In this blog, I’ll cover some of the more notable signings during the post-Marino era.
Jay Fiedler
Fiedler is probably the free-agent signing that worked out best for Miami post-Marino. Fiedler was Mark Brunell’s backup in Jacksonville, where he posted a record of 1-0 and showed enough promise for Miami to take a chance on him in 2000. Fiedler really had the unenviable task of following up a legend; despite that pressure, he performed admirably, going 37-25 during his five seasons as the starter. He is the last Miami quarterback to get a win in the playoffs, all the way back in 2000. I recall his play being maligned at the time, but really, we didn’t know how bad things could get.
Gus Frerotte
Frerotte was the definition of a journeyman when he signed with the Dolphins in 2005. By current standards, he was fairly solid, throwing 18 touchdowns to 13 interceptions and leading Miami to a 9-6 record in his starts. Ultimately, he was good but not great, and the team moved on from him after just one season.
Matt Moore
Moore had seen some playing time with the Carolina Panthers before signing with the Dolphins ahead of the 2011 season. He was seen as an insurance policy should rookie Ryan Tannehill get injured. That would end up happening in 2016, after a great start to the year, Moore was thrust into action to steady the ship as Miami made a playoff push. He would go 2-1 as a starter and help Miami secure a playoff spot. Unfortunately in the playoffs he would be on the receiving end of a nasty hit, while he stayed in the game he was clearly affected by the blow. He’s remembered fondly by Miami fans as a decent backup who ended up winning a Super Bowl with Kansas City in 2019.
Jay Cutler
Probably the funniest entry on this list, Jay Cutler was retired before a Tannehill injury forced Miami to lure him out back to the field. He would start 14 games in the 2017 season. In his start, he would go 6-8 with 2,666 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Perhaps the only lasting legacy of Cutler’s time with the Dolphins is this play, where he was uninterested in actually participating.
Seeing these signings laid out back to back makes it clear just how bleak Miami’s quarterback journey has been.
However, that’s just how things are in the NFL; the quarterback is the most important position while also being the most difficult one to fill. Hopefully, Willis will finally be the one to bring sustained success to Miami. I, for one, am excited to see it all play out.
You can follow me on YouTube @WickedGoodEverything and X @TheFakeBMarr
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