Just a couple of years ago, Malik Willis looked like another quarterback story headed for the NFL’s scrap heap. Drafted in the third round by the Tennessee Titans in 2022, Willis never quite found his footing in Nashville.
He saw action in 11 games over two seasons but started just three of them, and the results didn’t exactly inspire confidence. By the end of 2023, the Titans had already moved on, selecting Will Levis in the following draft and effectively closing the book on the Willis experiment.
But fast forward to today, and that narrative has shifted-dramatically.
Now in Green Bay, Willis has quietly reinvented himself. The Packers acquired him in 2024 for just a seventh-round pick, a move that barely registered at the time.
But what looked like a minor depth move has turned into a low-risk, high-reward steal. Willis has grown into a reliable backup behind Jordan Love, and more importantly, he looks like a completely different player than the one who struggled in Tennessee.
This version of Malik Willis is poised, confident, and clearly more comfortable in his role. He’s not just managing games-he’s showing flashes of the athleticism and arm talent that made him such an intriguing prospect coming out of Liberty.
In Green Bay’s system, he’s thriving as a developmental quarterback who can step in when needed and keep the offense functional. That’s no small thing in a league where backup quarterbacks often make or break a season.
So what changed?
It’s hard to say definitively whether this is a case of the Titans mishandling his development or the Packers unlocking his potential-or, more likely, a mix of both. Tennessee’s recent track record with young quarterbacks hasn’t exactly been stellar.
After Willis, the Titans turned to Levis, who also didn’t pan out. That led to the selection of Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick earlier this year, and while it’s still early, Ward’s rookie season hasn’t gotten off to the smoothest start either.
Meanwhile, Green Bay has quietly built a reputation for developing quarterbacks. From Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love, the Packers have consistently found ways to groom talent under center. Willis may not be in line for a starting job in Wisconsin, but he’s clearly benefitting from the structure and coaching around him.
And with Jordan Love dealing with occasional injuries, having a capable backup like Willis isn’t just a luxury-it’s a necessity. He’s shown he can keep the offense on track when called upon, and that kind of reliability is invaluable in today’s NFL.
Looking ahead, Willis is set to hit free agency in 2026, and he could have some interesting options. If he continues to develop and impress in limited action, don’t be surprised if quarterback-needy teams come calling with offers for a potential starting role. Green Bay would certainly like to keep him around, but if a clearer path to a starting job opens up elsewhere, Willis will have a decision to make.
For now, though, the Packers have to feel good about what they’ve got. Malik Willis has gone from afterthought to asset-and in a league where quarterback depth is everything, that’s a win worth celebrating.