The Miami Dolphins face the Washington Commanders tonight in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason, and one of the biggest questions entering the matchup is whether Malik Willis will play.
The answer appears to be yes.
Willis is expected to start at quarterback for the Dolphins against Washington as Miami gets its first extended look at its offense in preseason action.
However, Willis is unlikely to play the entire game, with the Dolphins expected to use the preseason opener to evaluate several quarterbacks on their roster.
Is Malik Willis Playing Today vs. Commanders?
Malik Willis is expected to play and start for the Miami Dolphins tonight against the Washington Commanders.
Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley indicated during the week that the plan is for Willis to play in the preseason matchup, although preseason personnel decisions can always change before kickoff.
Willis’ appearance should provide Dolphins fans with an early opportunity to see how the quarterback looks running Miami’s offense in a game environment.
His workload is expected to be limited, however, as the Dolphins will also want to evaluate the quarterbacks behind him.
Who Is the Dolphins Starting Quarterback vs. Commanders?
Malik Willis is expected to be Miami’s starting quarterback against Washington.
Willis enters the game at the top of the Dolphins’ quarterback depth chart and should lead the offense for at least the opening portion of Friday night’s preseason matchup.
The Dolphins are unlikely to give Willis anything close to a full game’s workload.
Instead, Miami could use Willis for the opening series or several possessions before turning the offense over to its younger quarterbacks.
How Long Will Malik Willis Play?
Willis’ exact number of snaps has not been announced, but his preseason workload is expected to be limited.
NFL teams frequently use their preseason openers to give starting quarterbacks a small number of possessions while reserving the majority of the game for backups and players competing for roster positions.
That could mean Willis plays one or two series, although his actual playing time will depend on how the game develops and Miami’s plans entering kickoff.
The primary objective will be getting Willis some live-game repetitions without unnecessarily exposing the starting quarterback to an extended preseason workload.
Dolphins Quarterback Depth Chart vs. Commanders
Miami has several quarterbacks who could see action against Washington.
The Dolphins’ quarterback situation entering Friday night’s game includes:
- Malik Willis — Expected starter
- Quinn Ewers — Expected to receive significant preseason opportunities
- Cam Miller — Could receive snaps later in the game
Ewers could be particularly important to watch once Willis leaves the game.
Preseason football provides younger quarterbacks with valuable opportunities to compete for depth-chart positioning and demonstrate their development against NFL defenses.
Quinn Ewers Could See Significant Playing Time
While Willis is expected to start, Quinn Ewers could receive considerably more playing time over the course of the game.
Ewers’ preseason performances will give Miami’s coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate his command of the offense, decision-making and ability to handle NFL game situations.
If Willis only plays a handful of possessions, Ewers could take over relatively early and receive an extended opportunity against Washington.
Cam Miller could then potentially handle some of the later quarterback snaps.
Why Malik Willis’ Preseason Performance Matters
Even with a limited workload, Willis’ performance will be one of the biggest storylines for Miami.
The preseason opener provides an opportunity to evaluate his timing with the Dolphins’ offensive personnel and his comfort operating the system under game conditions.
Statistics will not necessarily be the most important measurement.
Miami will likely be more interested in Willis’ decision-making, accuracy, command of the offense and ability to move the football efficiently during his limited appearance.
Avoiding turnovers and unnecessary hits will also be important as the Dolphins prepare for the regular season.
Dolphins vs. Commanders Game Time
The Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders meet Friday night in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason.
Matchup: Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders
Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland
Game: 2026 NFL Preseason Week 1
The matchup gives both organizations another opportunity to evaluate their rosters before making difficult personnel decisions later in the preseason.
Is Malik Willis Starting Tonight?
Barring a late change to Miami’s plans, Malik Willis is expected to start tonight against the Washington Commanders.
His appearance may be relatively short, potentially consisting of only a few offensive possessions before Miami turns to Quinn Ewers and the rest of its quarterback room.
For Dolphins fans, Willis’ limited action will still provide an important early look at Miami’s starting quarterback as the team continues preparing for the 2026 NFL regular season.
The key takeaway entering kickoff is simple: Malik Willis is expected to play and start against Washington, but don’t expect him to remain on the field for the entire game.