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Malik Willis Among 5 Best Deals of NFL Free Agency
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Malik Willis Among 5 Best Deals of NFL Free Agency

#Malik Willis #Miami Dolphins #Connor McGovern #Buffalo Bills #quarterback #center #bargain #free agency

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Malik Willis signed a 3-year, $67.5M deal with the Dolphins, ranking 17th in QB pay, seen as a low-risk bet on potential.
  • Willis' contract offers flexibility; if he doesn't perform, Miami can move on due to low cost, especially with the 2027 draft.
  • Connor McGovern's 4-year, $52M deal with the Bills is considered a steal after Tyler Linderbaum reset the center market higher.
  • The article highlights bargains in NFL free agency, noting most free agents are overpaid, but some deals stand out as value picks.

📖 Full Retelling

It’s not easy to find bargains in the first few days of free agency, when NFL teams were busy throwing more than a billion dollars in contracts around. The market is rarely filled with star players, which means most free agents end up getting vastly overpaid. But even in this first wave of new deals, there were a few that had the potential to be steals. It will take a while to know for sure, of course. But here are five of the best contracts given out so far. RELATED: The 5 Riskiest Deals of NFL Free Agency Malik Willis, QB, Miami Dolphins Three years, $67.5 million ($45 million guaranteed) Maybe $22.5 million per year seems like a lot for a player who has made just six starts in four seasons, but not in the world of NFL quarterbacks. Think of it this way: Willis now ranks 17th on the list of highest-paid quarterbacks in terms of average annual value. The only starters behind him are either still on their rookie contracts or outliers like Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, both of whom were just released after signing megadeals at their previous stops. Yes, Willis' deal is more about potential than performance, but he's still young (he’ll turn 27 in May), and he’s shown progress in his limited action. That’s why he had several suitors when the market opened. If he works out, the Dolphins not only have a quarterback for 2026, but they have their long-term answer at the position, too. And if it doesn’t, the low cost gives them the flexibility to move on next year, either in free agency or the loaded 2027 draft. Connor McGovern, C, Buffalo Bills Four years, $52 million ($35 million guaranteed) Keeping a young, durable, Pro Bowl center in front of their MVP quarterback seemed like a great move for the Bills from the beginning. Getting him at $13 million per year, though, looks like a steal considering the way Tyler Linderbaum so dramatically reset the center market a few days later with his three-year, $81 million pact with the Raiders. McGovern gets less than half what L

🏷️ Themes

NFL Free Agency, Contract Value

📚 Related People & Topics

Malik Willis

Malik Willis

American football player (born 1999)

Malik Antonio Willis ( mə-LEEK; born May 25, 1999) is an American professional football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and Liberty Flames, winning the 2020 Dudley Award with the latter. Willis was selected by...

View Profile → Wikipedia ↗

Buffalo Bills

National Football League franchise in Orchard Park, New York

The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team plays its home games at Highmark Stadium in Orchard ...

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Miami Dolphins

National Football League franchise in Miami Gardens, Florida

The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team plays its home games at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Flor...

View Profile → Wikipedia ↗

Connor McGovern

Topics referred to by the same term

Connor McGovern may refer to:

View Profile → Wikipedia ↗

Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Malik Willis:

👤 Miami Dolphins 5 shared
🌐 Green Bay Packers 3 shared
👤 National Football League 2 shared
🌐 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 shared
👤 Michael Evans 1 shared
View full profile

Mentioned Entities

Malik Willis

Malik Willis

American football player (born 1999)

Buffalo Bills

National Football League franchise in Orchard Park, New York

Miami Dolphins

National Football League franchise in Miami Gardens, Florida

Connor McGovern

Topics referred to by the same term

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This news matters because NFL free agency deals shape team competitiveness and financial health, affecting fans, players, and league dynamics. Malik Willis's contract highlights the high-risk, high-reward nature of quarterback investments, impacting the Dolphins' future and the quarterback market. For teams like the Bills, securing key players at below-market rates can provide crucial salary cap flexibility for building championship rosters.

Context & Background

  • NFL free agency is an annual period where players without contracts can sign with any team, often leading to bidding wars and inflated salaries.
  • Quarterback contracts have skyrocketed in recent years, with top players earning over $50 million annually, making mid-tier deals like Willis's seem relatively affordable.
  • The 2027 NFL draft is projected to be quarterback-rich, influencing teams' willingness to take short-term risks on veterans like Willis.
  • The center market was recently reset by Tyler Linderbaum's $27 million per year deal with the Raiders, making Connor McGovern's $13 million per year contract appear team-friendly.

What Happens Next

Willis will compete for the Dolphins' starting QB role in training camp, with performance in the 2026 season determining if he becomes their long-term solution. The Bills will integrate McGovern into their offensive line, aiming to protect Josh Allen and improve playoff success. Other highlighted free agency deals will be evaluated based on player health and production in the upcoming NFL season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Malik Willis considered a bargain despite his limited experience?

Willis's $22.5 million annual salary ranks 17th among QBs, below market rates for starters, and his youth and potential offer upside. The Dolphins can easily cut him after 2026 if he underperforms, minimizing financial risk.

How does Connor McGovern's contract benefit the Buffalo Bills?

McGovern's $13 million per year is less than half the top center market rate, saving cap space while securing a Pro Bowl player. This allows the Bills to allocate resources to other positions, enhancing overall roster depth.

What defines a 'steal' in NFL free agency?

A steal is a contract that provides above-average player performance at below-market cost, often due to timing or positional market fluctuations. It gives teams financial flexibility and competitive advantages over rivals.

How does free agency impact NFL team building?

Free agency allows teams to address immediate needs but can lead to overpaying for talent, affecting salary cap management. Smart signings, like those highlighted, help balance short-term gains with long-term roster sustainability.

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Original Source
It’s not easy to find bargains in the first few days of free agency, when NFL teams were busy throwing more than a billion dollars in contracts around. The market is rarely filled with star players, which means most free agents end up getting vastly overpaid. But even in this first wave of new deals, there were a few that had the potential to be steals. It will take a while to know for sure, of course. But here are five of the best contracts given out so far. RELATED: The 5 Riskiest Deals of NFL Free Agency Malik Willis, QB, Miami Dolphins Three years, $67.5 million ($45 million guaranteed) Maybe $22.5 million per year seems like a lot for a player who has made just six starts in four seasons, but not in the world of NFL quarterbacks. Think of it this way: Willis now ranks 17th on the list of highest-paid quarterbacks in terms of average annual value. The only starters behind him are either still on their rookie contracts or outliers like Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, both of whom were just released after signing megadeals at their previous stops. Yes, Willis' deal is more about potential than performance, but he's still young (he’ll turn 27 in May), and he’s shown progress in his limited action. That’s why he had several suitors when the market opened. If he works out, the Dolphins not only have a quarterback for 2026, but they have their long-term answer at the position, too. And if it doesn’t, the low cost gives them the flexibility to move on next year, either in free agency or the loaded 2027 draft. Connor McGovern, C, Buffalo Bills Four years, $52 million ($35 million guaranteed) Keeping a young, durable, Pro Bowl center in front of their MVP quarterback seemed like a great move for the Bills from the beginning. Getting him at $13 million per year, though, looks like a steal considering the way Tyler Linderbaum so dramatically reset the center market a few days later with his three-year, $81 million pact with the Raiders. McGovern gets less than half what L
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