Malik Willis is headed for unrestricted free agency this offseason, and the Green Bay Packers are staring down a decision that could shape their quarterback room for years to come.
No, Willis isn’t pushing Jordan Love for the starting job - Love has firmly established himself as the Packers’ QB1. But what Willis has done is quietly build a compelling case as one of the most intriguing backup quarterbacks in the league. And now, after two seasons of stepping in and stepping up when called upon, he’s drawing serious interest from quarterback-needy teams across the NFL.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, several franchises are expected to take a long look at Willis this spring. With the draft unlikely to satisfy the full demand for starting-caliber quarterbacks, Willis is emerging as a viable option - especially for teams looking for a short-term starter or a high-upside bridge.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about potential. Willis has produced in Green Bay.
In 2024, he went 2-0 as a starter while filling in for an injured Love. And while the sample size is small, the efficiency is eye-popping - a 76.5% completion rate and zero interceptions since joining the Packers.
That’s not just game management; that’s poised, mistake-free football in high-leverage moments.
It’s the kind of performance that gets noticed around the league. Teams looking to stabilize the position - or even just buy time while developing a rookie - are going to see Willis as a cost-effective, low-risk, high-upside option. He’s still just 26, with starting experience, a strong arm, and the kind of athleticism that gives coaches flexibility in designing an offense.
The Packers, for their part, aren’t out of the picture. They like what they have in Willis - and why wouldn’t they?
He’s shown he can keep the offense afloat when Love is sidelined, and in today’s NFL, having a reliable No. 2 quarterback isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity. But Green Bay also knows the reality: if another team offers Willis the chance to compete for a starting job, that’s a tough opportunity to turn down.
And that’s where things get interesting. Willis, a 2022 third-round pick by the Titans, has already had one shot at a starting role that didn’t pan out.
But the version of Willis we’ve seen in Green Bay looks more polished, more confident, and more in control. He’s not just managing games - he’s making plays, protecting the football, and showing the kind of growth that front offices love to see.
So now the question becomes: does he stay in Green Bay as one of the league’s top backups, or does he take a swing at a starting job elsewhere? Either way, Willis has earned the right to explore his options - and he’s done it the hard way, by making the most of every opportunity that’s come his way.
Don’t be surprised if we’re talking about Malik Willis as a Week 1 starter in 2025. He’s shown enough to warrant that shot - and someone out there is bound to give it to him.