NFL Quarterback Carousel: Willis to Dolphins, Tagovailoa to Falcons, and Murray’s Future
The NFL offseason is already in full swing, and the quarterback position is experiencing significant upheaval. As of Monday, March 9, 2026, several key moves have been made, signaling a new era for multiple franchises. Malik Willis is heading to the Miami Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa has agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons, and the future of Kyler Murray remains uncertain.
Malik Willis Lands Lucrative Deal with the Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have signed quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract according to USA Today. This move reunites Willis with new Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, both of whom he previously worked with in Green Bay. Despite having only six NFL starts under his belt, Willis has become a top free agent target. The Dolphins are absorbing a record $99.2 million dead cap hit by releasing Tua Tagovailoa to make room for Willis as reported by the AP.
Tua Tagovailoa Finds New Home in Atlanta
After being released by the Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa quickly found a new team, reportedly agreeing to a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons as noted by AOL. This move fills a need for the Falcons, who are also preparing for the pending release of Kirk Cousins and have Michael Penix rehabbing a torn ACL. The Falcons, now under the leadership of team president Matt Ryan, GM Ian Cunningham, and coach Kevin Stefanski, are looking for a cost-effective solution at quarterback.
Kyler Murray’s Future Remains Unclear
With Willis off the market, the Arizona Cardinals are now exploring other options after moving on from Kyler Murray. The Cardinals have been linked to Jimmy Garoppolo, who has a connection with new Arizona coach Mike LaFleur, having previously worked together with the Rams and 49ers according to USA Today.
NFL Free Agency: A Quarterback Shakeup
The movement of Willis and Tagovailoa is part of a larger trend of quarterback changes across the NFL. A high salary cap and a limited number of quarterbacks available in the draft are contributing to a competitive free-agent market. This “NFL Quarterback Edition” of musical chairs is expected to continue as teams search for their next franchise quarterback.