After a tough loss to the Ravens, the Green Bay Packers find themselves at a bit of a crossroads heading into the final week of the regular season. With the seventh seed in the NFC now locked up, there's no more playoff positioning to fight for - and that reality is shaping how head coach Matt LaFleur is approaching the health and usage of his quarterbacks.
Jordan Love, the team’s starter, was ruled out ahead of the game after failing to clear concussion protocol. According to LaFleur, Love is feeling good, but simply didn’t get medical clearance in time. That left the door open for rookie Malik Willis to make the start - and despite battling both a shoulder injury and an illness, Willis delivered one of the most impressive performances of his young career.
Willis was sharp from the jump, completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown. He also added 60 yards and two scores on the ground, showcasing the kind of dual-threat ability that had the Packers intrigued when they brought him in. His poise under pressure and command of the offense stood out, especially considering the circumstances.
But the night wasn’t without its hiccups. Willis exited the game late after appearing to aggravate his shoulder on a non-contact play. He headed to the locker room briefly before returning to the sideline and throwing the ball - a sign that the injury may not be serious, though the team understandably played it safe from there.
With Willis sidelined, the Packers turned to practice squad QB Clayton Tune, who had been elevated to the active roster earlier in the day. Tune’s brief appearance was rocky.
On one drive, he threw behind receiver Bo Melton - who was lined up at corner earlier in the game - and the ball was tipped and intercepted by Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey. It’s worth noting Humphrey was playing with essentially one functional hand after being stepped on by a teammate earlier in the game.
Still, he made the play.
After the turnover, Green Bay got the ball back but opted to run out the clock with reserves, rather than risk further injury to Willis. LaFleur said postgame that Willis was available to return if needed, but with the game out of reach, there was no reason to force the issue.
One odd moment came earlier in the game when Willis fumbled a snap that bounced off his facemask. LaFleur explained that Willis was in the middle of calling an audible and hadn’t started his cadence when center Sean Rhyan prematurely snapped the ball. According to the coach, that miscue is on Rhyan, not Willis.
Now the question becomes: what does Green Bay do in Week 18 against Minnesota? With playoff seeding set, LaFleur has a decision to make - rest his starters and prioritize health, or keep the momentum rolling with live reps. He hasn’t tipped his hand just yet, but given the physical toll on both Love and Willis, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Packers leaned toward caution.
Either way, the Packers got a valuable look at their quarterback depth in a tough spot - and Willis, in particular, gave them something to think about.