Is Malik Willis getting a free pass for the Miami Dolphins' offensive struggles, or are fans giving up on him too soon?

With the Dolphins sitting at 1-7, O.J. McDuffie, Seth Levit, and Mike Oliva reunite for another spirited Fish Tank × DolphinsTalk crossover, and the biggest question facing Miami takes center stage: Is Malik Willis really the quarterback of the future?

Mike believes the Dolphins may already have their answer. Willis could serve as a bridge quarterback, but Miami needs to start seriously considering its next franchise QB.

Juice isn't ready to give up on Willis, but he's increasingly concerned about the young quarterback's decision-making, reluctance to check down, and inability to consistently elevate the offense. And with Willis battling a groin injury, Juice makes a surprising suggestion: Sit him down and give Kyle McCord a chance against Indianapolis!

Seth pushes back, arguing that evaluating Willis after just eight games in a rebuilding season—behind an inconsistent offensive line and with inexperienced receivers—is premature. Is Miami being patient with its quarterback, or making excuses for him?

The guys also tackle several other major Dolphins storylines:

Zach Sieler's season-ending injury: After playing nearly an entire game against Detroit with a torn biceps, has the veteran defensive lineman played his final game in Miami?

The quarterback dilemma: Should Miami use a premium draft pick on a quarterback, or continue building around Willis while developing a young prospect?

The 2027 NFL Draft: Is there really a quarterback worth taking near the top of the first round? The guys debate the risks of reaching for an unproven prospect.

The offensive line: How much blame should Miami's struggling protection shoulder for Willis' inconsistent performances?

The Dolphins' future: With the trade deadline arriving and another disappointing season unfolding, what should Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan prioritize?

Plus, Mike teases another rant about opposing fans taking over Hard Rock Stadium!

THE BIG QUESTION: Are Dolphins fans being too hard on Malik Willis, or have we already seen enough to know he's not the long-term answer?

Let us know in the comments!

The Fish Tank is presented by:

Van Horn Law Group

https://www.vanhornlawgroup.com/

🐬 Fish Tank: The Deep End — Get exclusive bonus content, behind-the-scenes stories, and more:

https://www.patreon.com/TheFishTank81

The Miami Dolphins are 1-6 through seven games—exactly where they were a year ago. So why does this season feel so different?

O.J. McDuffie and Seth Levit are joined by Mike Oliva and special guest Eric Smith (@OLCoachSmith63) for a spirited edition of Fish Tank LIVE that examines whether Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan are actually building something special in Miami, despite the team's disappointing record.

The conversation begins in the trenches, where Coach Smith delivers an eye-opening breakdown of rookie offensive lineman Cadyn Proctor. Just how important is Proctor to the Dolphins' offense? Did his absence against the New England Patriots expose bigger problems along Miami's offensive line? And should the Dolphins consider moving their talented first-round pick to right tackle next season, or leave him at left guard, where he's already showing All-Pro potential?

The guys also look ahead to Miami's matchup with Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions. Can the Dolphins match Detroit's physicality for four quarters, or will the mistakes that cost them against New England continue to haunt this young team?

Then comes the big debate: The Dolphins were 1-6 last season, too. But are they actually in a better position today? Juice and Mike explain why accountability, leadership, an impressive rookie class, and a changing locker-room culture have them feeling far more optimistic about Miami's future.

And what about the quarterback position? With speculation swirling about Lamar Jackson's future in Baltimore, the crew debates whether the Dolphins should even consider pursuing the two-time NFL MVP—or stay committed to developing Malik Willis and building through the draft.

Plus, in "I Tried to Tell Y'all," Juice delivers a message about voting, character, and coming together, while Mike challenges Dolphins fans to remember their preseason expectations before unleashing an epic rant defending the legendary 1972 Miami Dolphins against criticism from NFL Network's Kyle Brandt!

The record hasn't changed. But has everything else?

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Are you more optimistic about the Dolphins at 1-6 this season than you were a year ago? And would you trade for Lamar Jackson? Tell us in the comments!

Fish Tank: The Deep End — Exclusive bonus content, behind-the-scenes stories, and contests: https://www.patreon.com/TheFishTank81

Fish Tank LIVE is presented by Van Horn Law Group.

Did Ollie Gordon II's emotions cost the Miami Dolphins a chance to beat the New England Patriots? Or are the Dolphins' defensive struggles the REAL reason Miami let another winnable game slip away?

On the latest Fish Tank x DolphinsTalk Crossover, O.J. McDuffie, Seth Levit and DolphinsTalk's Mike Oliva break down Miami's frustrating loss to New England, and things get HEATED!

After taking a 13-3 lead into halftime, the Dolphins appeared poised to win their second straight game. But 21 unanswered points by the Patriots turned a promising afternoon into another disappointing defeat, dropping Miami to 1-6.

The turning point? Seth points to Ollie Gordon's costly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which transformed a manageable third-and-five into third-and-20 and effectively killed a critical offensive possession. But Juice isn't buying the idea that one penalty should define the game, especially when Miami's defense couldn't stop Drake Maye and the Patriots in the second half.

The debate gets intense as O.J. and Seth go back and forth about momentum, accountability, and whether Gordon's fiery personality is becoming a liability for the Dolphins.

The guys also discuss:

• Malik Willis' leadership: How the Dolphins quarterback handled his heated sideline exchange with Gordon.
• Miami's young receivers: Why O.J. believes the Dolphins need more playmakers who can make difficult catches.
• Offensive confusion: Are Bobby Slowik's schemes asking too much of Miami's inexperienced players?
• Kadyn Proctor's impact: Why his absence exposed significant weaknesses along the offensive line.
• The bigger picture: Are the Dolphins actually improving despite their 1-6 record?

Plus, Juice shares stories about playing alongside fiery teammates like Brian Cox and recalls a memorable miscommunication with Dan Marino that wasn't quite what it appeared to be.

Was Ollie Gordon's penalty the turning point, or is Miami's defense getting a pass? Tell us who you agree with: Juice or Seth!

Edited by Sevach Melton. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

The Fish Tank is presented by:

Van Horn Law Group

https://www.vanhornlawgroup.com/