Malik Willis’ NFL journey has taken some unexpected turns, but heading into free agency this offseason, the former Liberty standout is suddenly one of the most intriguing names on the market.
After being drafted in the third round by the Tennessee Titans, Willis struggled to find his footing early in his career. But a trade to the Green Bay Packers in August 2024 may have been the reset he needed.
In Matt LaFleur’s offense, Willis flashed the dual-threat ability that made him such an exciting prospect coming out of college. Over three starts, he racked up 972 passing yards, 261 rushing yards, and nine total touchdowns.
Those aren’t just decent numbers-they’re the kind of stats that raise eyebrows around the league, especially when you consider how limited his opportunities have been until now.
NBC analyst Chris Simms certainly isn’t shy about his belief in Willis’ potential. During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Simms didn’t hold back.
“I think Malik Willis is a superstar,” Simms said. “I would think he’s the crowning gem of guys that will be out there as far as free agents. … He’s got a special arm, he’s got special mobility, he knows how to run the offense.”
That’s high praise for a quarterback who, not long ago, was viewed as a developmental project. And while Simms’ take might be on the bold side, there’s no denying that Willis has put himself in position to earn a legitimate shot at a starting role-something that didn’t seem guaranteed just a year ago.
Of course, not everyone is ready to jump on the “superstar” bandwagon. Fan reactions have been mixed, with some pushing back on the idea that Willis has already proven enough to warrant that kind of label. One fan pointed out the league-wide struggle to identify true franchise quarterbacks, saying, “This is why half the teams in the league can’t ever find a franchise QB-you people can’t recognize journeymen from real elites.”
Another fan struck a more measured tone: “Malik Willis is a starting quarterback in the league. That’s a given.
But to already label him as a ‘superstar’ is really ridiculous. Let’s all see how he performs with another team in another system unlike Green Bay’s.”
It’s a fair point. Willis looked sharp in LaFleur’s system, but the question now is whether that success can translate elsewhere.
And with free agency opening at 4 p.m. ET on March 11, we may not have to wait long to find out.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, two teams to keep an eye on are the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. Both franchises could be in the market for a quarterback, and both have strong ties to Willis.
In Miami, the connection is clear. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley both came from Green Bay, giving them firsthand knowledge of what Willis brings to the table. That kind of familiarity could go a long way in a competitive free-agent market.
Meanwhile, in Arizona, newly hired head coach Mike LaFleur has a direct line to his brother Matt, who coached Willis in Green Bay. If the Cardinals are serious about making a move at quarterback, that inside intel could be a deciding factor.
For Willis, this offseason represents more than just a chance to sign a new contract-it’s a shot at redefining his NFL career. He’s shown flashes of what he can do with the right coaching and system. Now, the question is whether a team is ready to bet on those flashes turning into full-time brilliance.
Superstar? That’s still up for debate.
But what’s clear is this: Malik Willis is no longer just a developmental quarterback. He’s a player with momentum-and that makes him one of the most compelling free agents in this year’s class.