Malik Willis Headlines a Thin Free Agent QB Market - And He Might Just Be the Best Bet Available
The NFL’s quarterback carousel is spinning once again, and while this year’s free agent class doesn’t feature a marquee name like a Mahomes or Burrow, there’s one intriguing option sitting at the top: Malik Willis.
Yes, that Malik Willis - the former third-round pick who never quite found his footing in Tennessee but has quietly rebuilt his stock as a backup in Green Bay. Despite not starting full-time in 2025, Willis is generating serious buzz heading into the offseason. And in a league where quarterback-needy teams are always searching for even a glimmer of upside, he might just be the most compelling option available.
The Rise of the Mid-Tier QB
We’ve seen it time and again in recent years: quarterbacks who didn’t pan out at their first stop finding new life elsewhere. The days of writing off a passer after a rocky start are long gone. Teams are getting smarter - and more desperate - about mining value from the second and third waves of quarterback development.
Take Sam Darnold, for example. After bouncing around the league, he landed in Seattle last offseason on a three-year deal following the team’s decision to move on from Geno Smith.
All Darnold did in year one was lead the Seahawks to a 14-3 regular season and a Super Bowl title. That’s not just a comeback - that’s a redemption arc worthy of a documentary.
And he’s not alone. Daniel Jones was putting up big numbers in Indianapolis before an Achilles injury cut his season short.
Baker Mayfield, now on his fourth team, has delivered multiple years of solid play in Tampa Bay. Even Geno Smith had a strong two-year stretch in Seattle before things unraveled in Las Vegas last fall.
These aren’t outliers anymore. They’re part of a growing trend: quarterbacks who don’t hit right away still have value - if they land in the right spot.
Why Willis Is the Most Intriguing Name on the Board
Enter Malik Willis. While he didn’t start a full season in 2025, he flashed in limited action for the Packers when Jordan Love was sidelined. Those glimpses - combined with his athletic upside and arm talent - have teams wondering if there’s more to unlock.
And unlike some of the other names on the market, Willis comes with less wear and tear and more room to grow. He’s still young, still moldable, and, perhaps most importantly, still hungry.
Daniel Jones is also available, but his situation is complicated. He’s recovering from a major injury and reportedly wants to return to Indianapolis. That leaves Willis as the most intriguing free agent quarterback who’s both healthy and available - a rare combination in this year’s market.
Potential Landing Spots for Willis
Let’s take a look at three teams that could be in the mix for Willis - and why each one makes sense.
Miami Dolphins: A Familiar Face for a New Era
The Dolphins are at a crossroads. With Tua Tagovailoa expected to move on, Miami has a decision to make. They could roll with Quinn Ewers, who wrapped up his rookie season as the starter, or they could bring in a veteran to steady the ship under new head coach Jeff Hafley.
Here’s where things get interesting: Hafley spent the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator in Green Bay. He knows Willis.
He’s seen him up close in practice. He understands both his strengths and his areas for growth.
That kind of familiarity matters - especially when you’re installing a new system and trying to set a tone in year one.
Miami also has the cap flexibility to make a move, assuming they do move on from Tagovailoa. If Hafley wants a dual-threat quarterback with upside and some NFL experience, Willis could be at the top of his list.
Arizona Cardinals: A Clean Slate and a Creative Offense
Arizona is another team in quarterback limbo. Kyler Murray missed most of 2025 with a foot injury and was eventually replaced by Jacoby Brissett. With a new coaching staff in place and Murray’s hefty contract looming, a trade feels more likely than not.
Enter Mike LaFleur, the Cardinals’ new head coach. He comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree and is the brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur - another connection to Willis. The offensive system would be familiar, and the staff would already have some insight into what Willis brings to the table.
The Cardinals have the No. 1 pick in the draft and are expected to upgrade the offensive line, which has been a weak spot in recent years. Pair that with a talented group of pass-catchers - including breakout tight end Trey McBride and rising star Marvin Harrison Jr. - and you’ve got an environment where a quarterback like Willis could thrive.
Cleveland Browns: A Desperate Search for Stability
The Browns’ quarterback situation in 2025 was, in a word, chaotic. Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett were both shipped out.
Deshaun Watson never returned from his Achilles injury. And young passers Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders looked nowhere near ready for prime time.
Now, with Kevin Stefanski gone and Todd Monken stepping in as head coach, Cleveland is searching for a new identity. Monken spent the last few years working with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, and while Willis isn’t on Jackson’s level, there are stylistic similarities that could make him an intriguing fit in Monken’s offense.
The big question is whether Cleveland’s offensive line can hold up. Willis struggled behind poor protection in Tennessee, and the Browns’ line isn’t exactly a fortress right now. But if Monken believes he can scheme around those issues - and if the front office is willing to invest in protection - Willis could be the stopgap (or more) that Cleveland needs.
Final Thoughts
Malik Willis isn’t a sure thing. But in this year’s free agent quarterback class, he might be the closest thing to a high-upside swing. He’s got tools, he’s got experience, and he’s got connections to multiple coaching staffs around the league.
With the draft class looking thin at quarterback and several teams in flux under new head coaches, don’t be surprised if Willis ends up being one of the most sought-after names on the market.
The question now is simple: who’s ready to bet on his next chapter?