Malik Willis is heading into free agency with something he hasn’t had in a while: momentum.
After being traded to the Green Bay Packers in 2024 following a rough start to his NFL career in Tennessee, Willis found new life in a backup role behind Jordan Love. And while his opportunities were limited, he made the most of them-flashing the athleticism and arm talent that once made him a third-round pick with upside.
Now, as 2026 free agency approaches, Willis is expected to draw interest as a potential starting quarterback. One team that’s already being linked to him? The New York Jets.
According to analyst Ryan Guthrie, the Jets could be a logical destination for Willis, especially with Oregon quarterback Dante Moore opting to return to school and no surefire QB prospect available at the No. 2 overall pick. “The talent is there,” Guthrie said of Willis, “whether the Jets can develop him is the real question.”
It’s a fair point. The Jets are once again in quarterback limbo following the end of the Justin Fields experiment, and with limited options in the draft, they may need to turn to the open market for answers.
At 26 years old, Willis still has time to grow into a long-term solution. He’s shown flashes of playmaking ability and has clearly progressed since his early struggles in Tennessee.
In that sense, New York could offer a compelling opportunity-an open starting job, a big-market stage, and a chance for redemption. But whether it’s the right fit for Willis is another story.
The Jets’ track record with quarterbacks has been, to put it kindly, rocky. From regime to regime, the story has been the same: high hopes, inconsistent development, and short-lived tenures. It’s a tough environment for any quarterback, let alone one still trying to establish himself as a full-time starter.
Willis has already experienced what it’s like to be thrown into a tough situation in Tennessee, where the offense never quite fit his skill set and the support around him was shaky at best. That experience could make him more cautious in choosing his next stop. Development matters, but so does stability-and the Jets haven’t had much of either when it comes to grooming quarterbacks.
That’s why some around the league believe the Miami Dolphins might make more sense for Willis. Miami recently hired former Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager and brought in ex-Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as head coach.
That Green Bay connection could be key. Sullivan and Hafley have seen Willis up close during his time with the Packers, and they’d have a clearer understanding of how to build around his strengths.
It’s the kind of continuity and familiarity that could give Willis a better shot at success. And in a league where fit often matters more than raw talent, that could be the deciding factor.
The bottom line? Malik Willis has earned another shot.
Whether that comes in New York, Miami, or elsewhere, he’s shown enough growth to warrant a serious look as a starter in 2026. And if he lands in the right situation-one that believes in him and builds around him-he just might surprise a few people.