Four years back, Malik Willis was tipped to be the first quarterback off the board in the draft. That didn’t pan out. Instead, Willis found himself picked at No. 86, trailing behind Kenny Pickett and Desmond Ridder.
Things didn’t quite click for Willis in Tennessee, and after two seasons, he became expendable. The Packers swooped in, snagging him for a seventh-round pick just before the 2024 season kicked off.
In Green Bay, Willis settled into the backup role behind Jordan Love, but he made the most of his chances. Over 11 appearances and four starts, Willis completed 70 of 89 passes, hitting an impressive 78.6 percent completion rate for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
His passer rating? A stellar 134.64.
On the ground, he added 261 rushing yards on 42 attempts, scoring three times.
Sure, the sample size is small, but the impact? Undeniable.
Now, with free agency less than three weeks away, Willis's future is one of the offseason’s big questions. The free-agent quarterback class is headlined by Aaron Rodgers and Daniel Jones, both expected to return to their teams, the Steelers and Colts. Other names in the mix include Russell Wilson, Marcus Mariota, Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor, Pickett, Zack Wilson, and Jimmy Garoppolo.
Kirk Cousins is essentially a free agent due to a contract adjustment. Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa might be released unless trades can be arranged, and the Jets could part ways with Justin Fields. Mac Jones could be a trade option if the 49ers are open to it.
Geno Smith, with $18.5 million guaranteed from the Raiders, might be available for trade or release, though the Raiders could keep him as a bridge to potential top draft pick Fernando Mendoza.
Willis’s numbers make a strong case. Is he ready to be a full-time starter, and will a team offer him a starter-level contract?
Starter contracts vary widely. The top of the market can reach $60 million annually, while the lower end, like Russell Wilson’s $10.5 million for three starts, is more modest. Fields earns $20 million on average with $30 million guaranteed over two years, though he was benched after some public criticism from ownership.
Sam Darnold, with limited options, secured $33.5 million annually from Seattle on a three-year deal, a bargain in hindsight. A one-year deal, like Jones’s in Indy, might have been ideal, but Darnold lacked leverage.
Where does Willis fit? It depends on the interest he garners.
The Dolphins, with former Packers staff in charge, might be a fit if they can manage the cap implications of Tua’s contract. The Cardinals, led by Mike LaFleur, could also make sense.
The Steelers might be interested, but they’re likely waiting on Rodgers’s decision, which could delay their actions in free agency. The Vikings will be in the market for a veteran to compete with J.J. McCarthy.
Don’t count out the Ravens, either. If they trade Lamar Jackson, they’ll need a new quarterback.
Other teams potentially in the hunt for a veteran QB include the Jets, Browns, Colts (if Jones departs), and Falcons.
Willis will surely have suitors. More interest means more money.
Next week’s meetings in Indianapolis will heat things up, as teams and agents engage in the annual free-agent dance.
Our guess? Willis might land a deal between $20 million and $30 million annually-unless a bidding war erupts, pushing the number higher.
Could he leverage for a one-year deal with a chance to hit free agency again in 2027? It’s possible, though securing a no-tag clause would be tricky.
Whatever unfolds, this story is gaining steam. Willis’s numbers hint at not just a capable starter but a potential star. With franchise quarterbacks in short supply, why wouldn’t a team take a shot at landing a player who could rise to the top of the league?