MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis keeps some interesting company in NFL history — Kurt Warner. Jimmy Garoppolo. Jay Fiedler. Jeff Hostetler. Jake Delhomme. Tyrod Taylor. David Garrard.

The quarterbacks listed above are a collection of guys who, such as the 26-year-old Willis, served as a backup for at least their first four NFL seasons and then became starters.

If you’re thinking that that’s a wide-ranging list, you’re right. And it’s appropriate because the possibilities are wide-ranging for Willis. But he says he’s ready now, in Year 5.

“I think it happened when I was prepared,” he said during Thursday’s introductory media session at the team facility. “I think when I came into the league I wasn’t prepared. And that’s not a knock toward my coaches or myself. That’s just what it was coming from the system where I came from. And I’ve had a chance to learn the last four years since I’ve been in the league, went through four different offenses and seen a bunch of different defenses. And I just think I’ve grown a lot and I’m grateful for the opportunity once again.”

How many of those aforementioned quarterbacks who sat for four years became quality starters?

Good question. The degrees of success vary.

If you want a reasonable standard for Willis, Garoppolo of the Los Angeles Rams comes to mind. Garoppolo, a 2014 second-round pick by New England, didn’t start for his first five seasons (three in New England, two in San Francisco). He eventually helped lead the 49ers to Super Bowl 54 (2019 season). Garoppolo has career numbers of 96 touchdowns, 52 interceptions and a 97.6 passer rating with a sparkling 43-21 (.672) regular season record as a starter.

There’s also Hostetler, who didn’t start for his first six seasons. Hostetler (94 touchdowns, 71 interceptions, 80.5 passer rating in 12 seasons) helped lead the New York Giants to a Super Bowl 25 (1990 season) win over Buffalo while playing in relief of injured Phil Simms. Hostetler, who had a respectable 51-32 (.615) record as a starter, had one Pro Bowl berth.

And there’s Fiedler, the ex-Dolphins quarterback who led Miami to its last playoff win (2000). Fiedler didn’t start for his first five seasons, which included a NFL Europe visit. He became a starter with the Dolphins in 2000. Fiedler (69 touchdowns, 66 interceptions, 77.1 passer rating in nine seasons) ended his career with a respectable 37-23 (.617) record as a starter in the regular season and a 1-2 playoff record.

Warner, a Hall of Famer, didn’t become a full-time starter until his sixth professional season. The bulk of his pre-NFL starter snaps came in the Arena Football League. Warner, of course, led a prolific St. Louis Rams offense (The Greatest Show on Turf) and won Super Bowl 34 (1999 season).

At this stage, I’m obligated to point out there’s a lukewarm group that were reserves for at least four seasons before becoming starters includes Taylor of the New York Jets, Garrard, the ex-Dolphins quarterback, and the retired Kevin Kolb (Arizona).

There’s another class of quarterbacks who eventually became starters, and that’s guys who were backups for their first three seasons.

Aaron Rodgers sat for three years in Green Bay before becoming a starter and Hall of Famer.

In fact, lots of guys sat for three years before becoming fulltime starters ranging from Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins and ex-Dolphins quarterback Brock Osweiler to ex-Dolphins quarterback A.J. Feeley and ex-Buffalo quarterback Rob Johnson.

Where will Willis end up among all of those quarterbacks I’ve mentioned?

I have no idea.

To a large extent, Willis’ success depends on factors beyond his control.

Hostetler was on a good team when he went to a Super Bowl. The same is true for Delhomme (126 touchdowns, 101 interceptions, 81.3 passer rating in 11 years), who helped lead Carolina to Super Bowl 38 (2003 season) after being undrafted by New Orleans in 1997. Delhomme went to NFL Europe for two years where he got playing time after his rookie season of 1999. He became a full-time NFL starter in 2003 and posted a respectable 56-40 (.622) record as a starter. He also had one Pro Bowl berth.

Willis seems to be a level-headed guy who understands he’s getting this opportunity now because he’s finally ready.

“And when the opportunity arises, that’s when you’ll be able to take advantage of it,” Willis said. “But until then you’ve got to keep working because if you didn’t get the opportunity that means you weren’t ready. And sometimes, like what happened my rookie year, you get an opportunity and you’re not ready. And it doesn’t help you, it doesn’t benefit you. But it can kickstart you into the right direction.”

Based on the evidence presented above, here’s my takeaway on the Willis situation: If the Dolphins build a complete team around him, he can have success.

But if the Dolphins rely too heavily on Willis’ right arm or his legs, or if they put him on bad teams, bad things will likely happen.

Willis isn’t getting that far ahead, though. He’s also not worried about being one of the NFL quarterbacks who served as a backup for the first four years of his career before becoming a starter. He’s staying where his feet are planted.

“I’m blessed to be here, blessed to be talking in front of you guys and be given the opportunity by these guys,” Willis said. “That’s all it is right now. That’s all it is today. We’ll worry about tomorrow when we get there.”

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