NFL free agency is right around the corner, and the most important position in football remains one of the most in-demand spots for quite a few teams.
With quarterback neediness still at a high, Malik Willis has been an unexpected name that has risen up the free agent rankings. But according to a league veteran, the Green Bay Packers backup is being given too much credit, especially compared to players like Kyler Murray and Aaron Rodgers.
The Experience of Kyler Murray and Aaron Rodgers vs. the Unknown With Malik Willis
Spending his entire career in a backup role, the hype around Willis reached an all-time high this past season. Stepping in when Jordan Love was out injured, he put together consistently strong performances.
In both his starts, he completed over 80% of his passes, while also adding over 400 yards through the air and 3 touchdowns. But he also brought an extra dynamic with his legs, as he added over 100 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.
As a result, his star is brighter than ever. Even PFSN had him ranked as the second-highest quarterback, behind only Daniel Jones, who has already had the transition tag placed on him by the Indianapolis Colts.
But the value for Willis isn’t an isolated incident. Throughout the summer, he has been projected as one of the biggest what-ifs in the league, especially after the career rehabilitation of Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold in recent years.
However, for former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker turned sports analyst Emmanuel Acho, the hype is getting a little too extreme. On the latest episode of “Speakeasy,” he voiced his frustration with the Willis coverage, especially with already proven commodities like Murray and Rodgers also in the market.
Speaking on the lack of actual tape available for him, he began, “We’re assessing that and putting him over Kyler Murray? Putting him over Aaron Rodgers?”
Continuing his point, Acho’s argument remained simple. “He’s so unproven. I’m not saying that a guy that has like two starts to his name is the best free agent quarterback. That’s asinine.”
Even though he clarified that he could see Willis being a success, the unproven factor was taking him out of the discussion.
Compared to Rodgers and Murray, a four-time MVP and a former Pro Bowler who was selected first overall, the difference in experience is undeniable. But the unknown with Willis is becoming more lucrative for some teams over the relative expectation with the two veterans.
Finishing at 21st and 29th on PFSN’s QB Impact, Murray and Rodgers weren’t top-flight superstars this past season, and it is hard to imagine them making major improvements over that number this deep in their careers.
While it remains to be seen how the summer shakes out, it is hard to fault an organization for choosing to believe that Willis has an unexplored ceiling in him.
