Malik Willis is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing names to watch in this year’s free agent quarterback market. After two seasons backing up Jordan Love in Green Bay, the former third-round pick is positioned to cash in-and according to projections, it could be a pretty sizable payday.
Pro Football Focus has floated a potential deal for Willis in the range of two years, $40 million, with $30 million guaranteed. That’s not small money for a quarterback with limited starting experience, but it speaks volumes about how the league views his growth-and his upside.
Let’s unpack why that number isn’t as surprising as it might seem at first glance.
From Struggles in Tennessee to Steady in Green Bay
Willis’ early NFL journey was rocky. His stint with the Tennessee Titans was marred by inconsistency, and at times, it looked like the game was moving too fast for him.
But since landing in Green Bay, he’s taken real strides. Under head coach Matt LaFleur’s system and with the benefit of sitting behind a now-established Jordan Love, Willis has started to look like a different quarterback.
The raw tools-arm strength, mobility, playmaking ability outside the pocket-were never in doubt. What’s changed is his command of the offense and his ability to make decisions on time and with accuracy. That’s a credit to both the coaching staff and Willis himself, who’s clearly put in the work to refine his game.
A Small Sample, But Big-Time Efficiency
The numbers back it up, even if the sample size is small. In 547 career snaps, Willis has posted a 4.8% big-time throw rate against a 1.8% turnover-worthy play rate.
Those are encouraging figures for a quarterback who’s still developing. The big-time throw rate, in particular, is a strong indicator of a passer who can stretch the field and make difficult throws into tight windows.
He’s not just managing the offense-he’s flashing the kind of upside that teams covet in a modern QB.
What Does the Market Say?
The projected deal mirrors the contract Justin Fields signed with the Jets before the 2025 season. And while PFF didn’t pinpoint a landing spot for Willis, the irony is that the Jets could now be in the market again-possibly for someone like Willis to replace Fields. That’s the kind of carousel that defines the quarterback landscape in today’s NFL.
But the Jets won’t be the only ones interested. Teams in need of a bridge starter or a high-upside QB2 will be watching closely. And at $20 million per year, the Packers may have to look elsewhere for a backup if the bidding gets too rich.
The Bottom Line
Willis’ case is one of the most fascinating of this free agency cycle. He’s not a proven starter, but he’s shown enough flashes-and enough growth-to suggest he could be more than just a backup. In a league where quarterback play is everything, that makes him a valuable commodity.
The tools are there. The development is underway. Now it’s just a matter of which team wants to bet on the next chapter of Malik Willis’ career.