{"id":723,"date":"2026-05-20T09:03:48","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T09:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southfloridamovingguides.com\/?p=723"},"modified":"2026-05-20T09:03:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T09:03:48","slug":"malik-willis-focused-on-trust-reps-as-dolphins-continue-ota-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southfloridamovingguides.com\/?p=723","title":{"rendered":"Malik Willis focused on trust, reps as Dolphins continue OTA work"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. \u2014 The Dolphins\u2019 OTA work continued Tuesday with new starting quarterback Malik Willis focusing on building chemistry and trust with teammates, while first-year head coach Jeff Hafley stressed fundamentals, accountability and effort during the early stages of Miami\u2019s offseason program.<\/p>\n

Read more The next step begins: Dolphins open OTAs<\/a><\/p>\n

Leer en espa\u00f1ol<\/p>\n

Willis, who is stepping into a larger leadership role this season, said his approach has remained consistent despite now being viewed as the team\u2019s starting quarterback.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got to be grateful in this league and this opportunity,\u201d Willis said. \u201cWhether you\u2019re first or fourth, it doesn\u2019t matter. You got to take advantage of each day and try to work as hard as you can to get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hafley said his message to Willis has been to avoid putting too much pressure on himself as a leader while learning a new system and environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy main focus for him right now is to learn, learn the scheme, get to know the players and not overdo the whole leadership thing,\u201d Hafley said. \u201cFocus on becoming the best quarterback and the best player and the best teammate he can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willis said leadership comes naturally through consistency and accountability rather than simply being handed the role.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about building trust,\u201d Willis said. \u201cI don\u2019t think you just put somebody in a position and say, OK, you\u2019re a leader now. You\u2019ve got to earn that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The quarterback also emphasized the importance of developing chemistry with Miami\u2019s receivers during OTA work, especially with several new faces on the roster.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s just reps,\u201d Willis said. \u201cThat\u2019s all this thing comes down to is reps and understanding the timing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willis said he has already spent time away from the facility getting to know teammates, including offensive tackle Patrick Paul, as players continue building relationships during organized team activities.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been awesome getting to know all the guys,\u201d Willis said. \u201cA bunch of guys love ball in this building.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hafley, meanwhile, described the current phase of OTAs as an important evaluation period as coaches monitor how players apply classroom lessons and technique work onto the practice field.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you take coaching? Can you take what you\u2019ve learned in the classroom \u2026 and now not change who you are and start making stuff up and putting that all together?\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s the attitude and effort, the things that they can control.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Inter Miami win first game in Nu Stadium<\/a><\/p>\n

The first-year head coach said he has been closely observing both players and coaches during practices while bouncing between offensive and defensive position groups.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really observing right now,\u201d Hafley said. \u201cI\u2019m watching the coaches. I\u2019m watching the players. I want everything run a certain way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hafley also addressed Miami\u2019s recent extension with running back De\u2019Von Achane, calling it important for the organization to reward players who produce early in their careers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it sends a good message when you have a player who is here on his first contract and has produced and had success, to reward that player with a second contract,\u201d Hafley said.<\/p>\n

On the field, Miami\u2019s defense generated several takeaways during OTA work, according to the Miami Herald\u2019s Omar Kelly.<\/p>\n

Safety Dante Trader Jr. intercepted a pass intended for Jalen Tolbert from Willis, while fourth-round pick Kyle Louis stepped in front of a pass from rookie quarterback Mark Gronowski and returned it for a pick-six. <\/p>\n

Veteran cornerback A.J. Green later added another interception after tipping a pass intended for Tahj Washington.<\/p>\n

Willis also joked about Hafley nearly forcing a fumble during a ball-security drill.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe almost got me,\u201d Willis said with a laugh. \u201cGot to be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the field, Miami\u2019s defense generated three takeaways during OTA work, according to Miami Herald\u2019s Omar Kelly. <\/p>\n

Safety Dante Trader Jr. intercepted a pass intended for Jalen Tolbert from Willis, while fourth-round rookie linebacker Kyle Louis stepped in front of a pass from rookie quarterback Mark Gronowski and returned it for a pick-six. <\/p>\n

Veteran cornerback A.J. Green later added another interception after tipping a pass intended for Tahj Washington.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an encouraging scene for a young defensive back group that saw cornerbacks Kader Kohou (Kansas City), Jack Jones (San Francisco), and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (New York Jets) join new teams in the offseason.<\/p>\n

Read more Video shows response to deadly Boynton Beach helicopter crash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Dolphins\u2019 OTA work continued Tuesday with new starting quarterback Malik Willis focusing on building chemistry and trust with teammates, while first-year head coach Jeff Hafley stressed fundamentals, accountability and effort during the early stages of Miami\u2019s offseason program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":722,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-723","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\nMalik Willis focused on trust, reps as Dolphins continue OTA work - South Florida Moving Guides<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/southfloridamovingguides.com\/?p=723\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Malik Willis focused on trust, reps as Dolphins continue OTA work - 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