The Arizona Cardinals are exploring a variety of quarterback options for the 2026 season, and one name that keeps surfacing is Malik Willis from the Green Bay Packers. Willis, who has spent the past two seasons as a backup in Green Bay, has shown promise during his limited starting opportunities and is set to become a free agent next month. The Cardinals are frequently mentioned as a potential destination for him.
At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Cardinals' general manager Monti Ossenfort was asked about the possibility of pursuing Willis. While he remained tight-lipped about specific evaluations, he did express admiration for Willis' performance.
"Malik did a great job when he stepped in for Green Bay this year," Ossenfort noted. "I had a brief stint with him in Tennessee, and he had an impressive college career.
He's one of the quarterbacks available, and we'll be looking at all our options-whether that's through free agency or the draft. We're committed to doing what's best for the team."
Ossenfort's familiarity with Willis dates back to their time together in Tennessee, where Ossenfort was part of the front office that drafted him. Adding to the intrigue, Willis has been under the tutelage of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, whose brother, Mike LaFleur, is now the Cardinals' head coach. Moreover, Cardinals offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was on the Green Bay staff last year, further connecting the dots.
While the speculation around Willis is strong, the Cardinals also need to address their current quarterback situation with Kyler Murray and potentially Jacoby Brissett.
As the free agency period approaches, starting with the legal communication window on March 9 and the new league year kicking off on March 11, the Cardinals will be weighing their options carefully.