The Packers are making a major shift at the most important position on the field heading into Week 17. Quarterback Jordan Love has officially been ruled out due to a concussion, and Malik Willis is expected to get the start as Green Bay continues its push for a playoff spot.
Love went down in last week’s game and stayed on the turf for a concerning stretch before eventually jogging off under his own power. He was replaced by Willis, who now steps into the spotlight for his first start of the season-with everything on the line.
This isn’t just a late-season fill-in job. The Packers are still in the thick of the playoff race, and the decision to roll with Willis in such a high-stakes moment says a lot about where the team believes he is in his development. It’s a chance for the young quarterback to show he can steady the ship when the postseason is within reach.
As for Love, this season marked a pivotal chapter in his journey. Drafted 26th overall in 2020 after the Packers traded up with the Dolphins, Love came out of Utah State as a three-year starter who earned All-Mountain West honors in his final two seasons. He arrived in Green Bay as the heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers, but the road to becoming the guy wasn’t exactly smooth or fast.
After spending his early years learning behind Rodgers, Love finally took the reins and showed flashes of why the Packers were so high on him in the first place. Green Bay initially extended him on a one-year, $13.5 million deal instead of picking up his fifth-year option-a move that gave them flexibility while still showing commitment.
But then came the real vote of confidence: a massive four-year, $220 million contract signed this past August. That deal made it crystal clear-this is Love’s team for the foreseeable future.
Now, with Love sidelined, all eyes turn to Willis. It’s a tall order, stepping into a playoff chase with limited reps and even less experience.
But these are the moments that define careers. Whether he manages the game or makes a few big-time throws, how Willis performs could not only impact the Packers’ postseason hopes but also shake up the quarterback depth chart heading into 2026.
Green Bay’s offense will need to adjust, and the coaching staff will likely tailor the game plan to fit Willis’ strengths. Expect a heavy dose of the run game, some quick reads, and maybe a few designed runs to get him comfortable early.
But make no mistake-the pressure is real. The Packers are still very much alive in the playoff picture, and every snap from here on out matters.
With Love out and Willis in, the Packers are betting on their depth, their system, and a young quarterback’s ability to rise to the moment. The stakes couldn’t be higher.