Malik Willis’ time in Green Bay looks like it’s nearing its end, and while his stint with the Packers wasn’t long, it was certainly intriguing. Acquired for a 2025 seventh-round pick back in the summer of 2024, Willis quietly turned into one of the more efficient backup quarterbacks in the league. Over two years, he posted a 134.6 passer rating - a number that, even in limited action, jumps off the page.
Now, with free agency looming in March, all signs point to Willis heading elsewhere. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst all but confirmed that in his end-of-season presser, noting that Willis is “going to have a lot of opportunities” this offseason. That’s about as soft a goodbye as you’ll hear from a front office executive.
And those opportunities? They’re very real.
Back in November - before a two-game heater where Willis went 27-of-32 for 409 yards (a scorching 12.8 yards per attempt), tossed two touchdowns, ran for another 104 yards, and punched in two more scores on the ground - his projected market was somewhere in the $5 to $8 million per year range. That projection might be outdated now.
If there’s even a modest bidding war, his number could creep up toward the kind of deal Justin Fields got last offseason: two years, $20 million annually. It only takes two teams to get the ball rolling.
So who might be in the mix?
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, keep an eye on the Dolphins and Cardinals. Both teams have significant ties to Willis.
New Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley were in Green Bay during Willis’ time there. In Arizona, new head coach Mike LaFleur has a direct line to his brother Matt - the Packers’ head coach - who’s had a front-row seat to Willis’ development.
But here’s the rub: both the Dolphins and Cardinals are locked into heavy quarterback contracts. Kyler Murray’s deal carries a $54.7 million dead cap hit in 2026, and Tua Tagovailoa’s is even steeper at $99.2 million.
Those are massive numbers to swallow, and while trades would lessen the financial blow, they’d still require another team to take on those contracts. That’s a tall order.
Still, we’ve seen teams make bold moves before. The NFL’s dead cap record belongs to Russell Wilson, whose $85 million hit was spread over two years after Denver moved on.
Single-season? That belongs to Matt Ryan’s $40.5 million when the Falcons pivoted after missing out on Deshaun Watson.
Rodgers wasn’t far behind at $40.3 million when the Packers finally moved him to the Jets. So while the path is expensive, it’s not unprecedented.
Arizona, for what it’s worth, finished 11th in the league in passer rating this season at 92.8. That’s not bad, but it’s also not enough to rule out a shake-up - especially if the front office believes Willis could bring more upside at a lower cost.
Beyond Miami and Arizona, there are a few other spots that could make sense depending on how the quarterback carousel spins. The Jets are still hunting for stability.
Minnesota could be in the mix depending on how they approach the veteran QB market. Carolina might be looking for a reset if they decide not to pick up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option.
Pittsburgh is a wild card - especially if they move on from Aaron Rodgers.
The key here is timing. Teams will tip their hands before free agency.
If they cut or trade current starters, that’s the signal they’re ready to bring in competition - or maybe even hand the reins to someone like Willis. And while he may not walk into a starting job, there are clearly teams that believe he’s more than just a clipboard holder.
One thing’s for sure: Malik Willis is no longer just a developmental flyer. He’s a quarterback with real NFL tape, real production, and real suitors. The question now is who’s ready to bet on his upside - and who’s willing to make the moves necessary to give him a shot.