We are just one day away from the Miami Dolphins taking the field for their first preseason game in 2026. The team has undergone many major changes — from hiring new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan who brought in Jeff Hafley as the team’s new head coach, to dumping former first-round quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in favor of former Packers’ backup, Malik Willis.
Speaking of Willis, Miami’s new signal-caller is expected to play in Friday’s preseason tilt against the Washington Commanders according to Hafley. When asked on Wednesday if he planned on getting the new Dolphins quarterback action this early during the preseason, Miami’s coach responded, “I am. But, as you said, things can change.”
According to those in attendance, Miami’s offense struggled to produce against a strong Commanders defensive front during the teams’ joint practice yesterday. Assuming that was the case, expect Hafley to ask Willis and company to work on cleaning things up quickly in an effort to look competent when the action kicks off at 7:00 p.m. (eastern time) on Friday night.
After filling in for injured starter Jordan Love at times during the 2025 NFL season — and accumulating 422 yards passing on 30 completions, while adding 123 yards rushing and scoring 5 total touchdowns — Willis signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal with the Dolphins. Miami’s new leadership group is hoping to be able to skip a few steps in the organization’s latest rebuild attempt by signing a young, mobile playmaker at the quarterback position and having him find success. He’ll seemingly get his first chance to do so tomorrow night in Landover, MD.