Malik Willis did not enter the 2026 offseason as the obvious main character. He wasn’t the proven franchise darling. He was, until recently, the backup, the insurance policy behind a quarterback the Green Bay Packers believed was their future. Yet here we are, in the middle of the busy free-agency season, and he has become one of the most talked-about names on the market. To one analyst, he’s more than just appealing.
NFL Analyst Views Malik Willis as More Than Just Depth Behind Jordan Love
On Thursday’s episode of “The Dan Patrick Show,” NBC analyst Chris Simms said, “I think Malik Willis is a superstar. I would think he is the crowning gem of guys that’s going to be out there as far as free agents you can get. He has proven he’s got special talent. He’s got a special arm, special mobility. He knows how to run the offense and do all of that. So yeah, he’s a great story here.”
Flashes that prompted this praise were evident late last season when Willis stepped in for injured starter Jordan Love with the Green Bay Packers.
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In Weeks 16 and 17, he completed 85.7% of his passes and avoided turnovers in games against the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens. The Packers did not win those contests, but the tape told a story beyond the final score: calm in the pocket, decisive reads and a willingness to push the ball downfield without forcing it. In his final appearance of the season, he received a score of 89 on PFSN’s QBi with a B+ grade.
Over four appearances in 2025, Willis posted a 145.5 passer rating, throwing for 422 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. In two seasons within Matt LaFleur’s system, he totaled 972 passing yards, 261 rushing yards, and 9 combined touchdowns.
Simms’ boldest take, however, wasn’t calling Willis a superstar. It was comparing his ceiling to Love’s.
“It’s closer than I ever thought it would be,” Simms said. “And I’m really a Jordan Love fan … but Malik Willis, I’m not going to say he’s better than Jordan Love right now. I will say he shows more potential to be a greater player than Jordan Love. That’s what I would say right now, but I’ve got to see a little more before I say he’s better than Jordan Love.”
“I think Malik Willis is a superstar.”
– @CSimmsQB gives his thoughts on the impending free agent QB. pic.twitter.com/DMCDwqD1JL
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) February 12, 2026
That’s a surprising stance considering Love just guided Green Bay to a 9-7 finish and a second-place spot in the NFC North.
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The Packers battled injuries throughout the season, and many within the organization believe a healthier roster might have changed their postseason fate.
