The Green Bay Packers will start their backup quarterback on Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Jordan Love was ruled out after not clearing the concussion protocol in time for Saturday’s game. That means Malik Willis is going to get the nod for what could be his final audition before he becomes a free agent in March.
Willis has been excellent whenever he’s been called upon in relief of Jordan Love. That includes winning both of his starts last year and playing well last week against the Chicago Bears before falling in overtime at Soldier Field. Saturday night is likely to be Willis’s last start before his contract expires in March, and some teams should be vying for his services when that time comes.
Who Should Pursue Malik Willis?
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ quarterback situation has been a mess for most of the year. JJ McCarthy was supposed to be the starter. When he’s been healthy, he has not played well. He has also not been healthy, having missed time due to three different injuries this year. This comes on the heels of missing the 2024 season with a knee injury.
If you believe the best ability is availability, then McCarthy is not holding up his end of the bargain in that regard.
On the field, there are plenty of questions as well. Minnesota could be in the market for a veteran stopgap to help push McCarthy, and Willis is someone who could fit the bill.
His athleticism fits well in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, and he’s proven to be more than a capable passer in Green Bay over the last two seasons.
It’s not uncommon for players to make the trek from Green Bay to Minnesota. The most recent example includes linebacker Eric Wilson, who is having an excellent year for them. Perhaps Minnesota could look for more help from its division rival as part of its solution to get back to the postseason in 2026.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were on top of the world after the trade deadline, with Daniel Jones having a renaissance season. The Colts were competing for a top spot in the AFC and aiming to win their division. They doubled down on their team by trading their next two first-round picks for cornerback Sauce Gardner, signaling they thought they were ready to make a run at the Super Bowl.
Disaster struck shortly thereafter as Jones tore his Achilles tendon and will miss the rest of the season. Jones is also set to be a free agent when the season ends. The NFL is a cold business, and would the Colts look to bring Jones back with such a devastating injury without knowing how he’ll perform on the other side of it?
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If the answer is no, the Colts could do worse than Willis. He would be an unquestioned starter coming into Indianapolis, which could be something that Willis is likely looking for with his next team.
There’s little reason to believe that Shane Steichen and the coaching staff believe in former first-round pick Anthony Richardson. Whether it’s Jones or someone else, the Colts are likely in the market for a quarterback.
Willis’ mobility and downfield passing fit well with Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman, and Tyler Warren.
If the Colts look to change quarterbacks, Willis would likely be interested.
Miami Dolphins
Miami’s quarterback situation is messy to say the very least. Tua Tagovailoa has been benched, and his future with the team is murky.
Quinn Ewers and Zach Wilson do not represent short or long-term answers at quarterback.
If Mike McDaniel is retained as the head coach, he’s unlikely to be able to wait for a rookie quarterback to develop. McDaniel will feel the urgency to win immediately.
Willis could help in that regard. Willis’ athleticism and ability in the run game would be something that could fit well with McDaniel as a disciple of the Shannahan system.
Willis also has the downfield passing ability to utilize the strengths of Jaylen Waddle.
Miami should be at the top of the list when Willis hits free agency.
Green Bay Packers
Yes, the team he is currently with. The Green Bay Packers should be interested in keeping Malik Willis in town.
Jordan Love is the team’s starting quarterback. There’s no question about that. Plus, the offense has been good under him: 6th-ranked, per PFSN’s OFFi.
When Aaron Rodgers was the starting quarterback, the Packers had a revolving door behind him, and most of the results were disastrous.
With Love, Malik Willis has fit in perfectly with him. He loves it in Green Bay.
The question here is, would Willis be willing to forgo an opportunity to be a starting quarterback?
Would Green Bay be willing to pay him as one of the top backup quarterbacks in the NFL, with a salary cap crunch looming?
If a contract can be figured out, the Packers’ backup quarterback spot is a valuable one. The Packers do not have a first-round pick next season thanks to the trade for star defensive end Micah Parsons.
One of the worst things that could happen is the team cratering if Love were to miss time because they do not have a suitable backup. The Packers have been looking for one, and may have struck gold by trading a conditional seventh-round pick to acquire Willis in August of 2024.
If Willis wants to stay, the Packers should be a team to listen.
