Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said Sunday that Miami is not considering a quarterback change, even after Malik Willis struggled in a 31-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Willis went 0-for-4 to start the game and did not complete a pass until the second quarter. He finished 15 of 27 for 137 yards with a touchdown pass, threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, his third straight game with a turnover of that kind. Hafley said the offense needs to improve, but he also said the blame should not fall on Willis alone. The team is young, and its receivers are mostly inexperienced.
“We all need to be better, and I mean that,” Hafley said.
Willis still provided a spark with his legs. He ran for 74 yards, the most ever by a Dolphins quarterback in a single game, according to the team’s record book cited in the report. His 39-yard run in the fourth quarter was the longest by a quarterback this season. Willis has a 68.4 passer rating through five games, the lowest among the 20 quarterbacks who have started all five of their team’s games.
The defense struggled to pressure Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow, and special teams had another rough day, including an 81-yard kickoff return allowed to open the game. Running back Ollie Gordon carried 18 times for 88 yards and a touchdown, a bright spot for a run game that has held its identity since De’Von Achane was lost for the season.
Miami has a bye in Week 6. Hafley said the team will use the break to get players healthy and review the work of both players and coaches.
