Indeed, Willis’ first pitch for Miami was woeful, but hopefully that doesn’t foretell his future in a Dolphins uniform.
After a rebuilding career with the Green Bay Packers that was capped by a strong relief performance by Jordan Love in Weeks 16-17 last season, Willis signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract to guide the Dolphins rebuild.
For those quick to jump on the bandwagon of a sleepy NFL spring, Willis’ first throw for Miami could be a harbinger of tough times ahead.
For the historians among us, Willis struggled early in his career after being drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round in 2022. His talent was unlocked years later by Matt LaFleur. So, unsavory first impressions are nothing new for Willis, who appears to be on the rise after a rocky start to his career.
Willis also got a chance to take a few swings at bat and did much better, showing power and walking away with a smile.
Willis’ resilience is an obvious positive and clearly helps him recover from the first pitch. We’ll see how his first pitch goes with the Dolphins in September.