The Green Bay Packers Should Hold On to Malik Willis
By GilMartin
There have been rumors that the Green Bay Packers may part ways with backup quarterback Malik Willis this offseason. Whether the move would be to free up cap space or for another reason, it truly doesn’t make much sense to move on from Willis this soon. The Packers should hold on to him for at least one more year.
GM Brian Gutekunst acquired Willis in between the final preseason game and the season opener last summer. Neither Sean Clifford nor Michael Pratt was impressive during the preseason, and the Packers were not comfortable with having either of them as the primary backup to Jordan Love.
Willis was pressed into action far sooner than anybody expected. Love suffered an injury on the final drive of the Packers season opener against the Eagles in Brazil. Willis had to finish the game and threw one pass before time ran out.
The Packers had to start Willis in Weeks 2 and 3 despite the fact that he hadn’t even been on the roster for three weeks. Because Willis’ skill set differs from Love’s, head coach Matt LaFleur had to develop a different game plan for Willis which emphasized the run.
But Willis stepped up and played well. He led the team to back-to-back wins over the Colts and Titans. Later in the season, he came off the bench when Love suffered another injury and helped the Packers beat the Jaguars.
For the season, Willis completed 40-of-54 passes for 550 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He averaged 10.2 yards per attempt and had a quarterback rating of 124.8. Willis also ran for 138 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. That is an average of 6.9-yards per carry.
LaFleur was impressed with the job Willis did despite having so little time to prepare. “I just cannot articulate the job that he’s done in a short period of time,” he said after one of Willis’ two starts. “People can’t fathom that. I promise you. You guys don’t get it. I know you think you’ve got it, but you don’t get it. What he’s been able to do, I’ve never seen something like this. So, hats off to him. Hats off to everybody around him, guys rallying, having his back.”
Willis has a strong arm and excellent athleticism. Those tools made him a third-round pick back in 2022. He struggled in Tennessee after being forced into action before he was ready to start. The Titans were also a struggling team with a poor offensive line and not enough receiving weapons to make the offense run smoothly.
But with the Packers, Willis had Josh Jacobs, a solid offensive line and better receivers. LaFleur’s game plan was designed to his talents and that helped as well. Suddenly, Willis has rejuvenated his career prospects. He’s no longer considered a draft bust. Now, he is viewed as a solid backup quarterback with the potential to develop into more.
This season, the Packers really benefitted from having Willis as their backup quarterback. Without the strong play of Willis, the Packers could have easily missed the playoffs. There are only a handful of backup quarterbacks who teams can rely on to step in and win enough games to keep their team in contention for the playoffs. The Packers have one in Willis.
In addition, Willis is relatively cheap. He has one more season left on his rookie contract. He has a cap hit of a little more than $1.4 million in 2025. In NFL terms, that gives the Packers an inexpensive insurance policy in case Love gets injured at any point next season.
The Packers also have plenty of cap space heading into this offseason. They have almost $44 million in available cap space according to spotrac.com with the ability to add a lot more by restructuring contracts. They don’t have a need to release Willis to free up cap space.
Yes, there could be a trade market for Willis. But the Packers should hold on to him for one more season unless they get an offer that bowls them over this offseason. A solid backup quarterback is hard to find. Many NFL teams can’t even find a good starter. The Packers should hold on to Willis for one more season and then decide whether to re-sign him. You never know when you may need the backup to step up and play.
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Comments (50)
HawkPacker
January 25, 2025 at 10:10 am
Yes, I agree with retaining him unless we get a great offer, and I mean great!
I have stated all year long that they should use Willis in the Wildcat. His skills are perfect for it. He can run and pass. This gives the other team more to plan for.
I don't think we utilized his skills well enough this past year. Get with it LaFleur!
SicSemperTyrannis
January 25, 2025 at 05:53 pm
Can also use him & #10 in the same play.
Naglersucks
January 26, 2025 at 10:01 am
This team struggled enough with the basics last year. Trying to add a somewhat complicated concept probably wouldn't have worked all that well. Especially with very little time to implement it. Maybe with an entire off season they can come up with something, it would be nice to see and makes sense.
HawkPacker
January 27, 2025 at 09:36 am
Totally disagree. It should be easy to install.
Coldworld
January 25, 2025 at 10:19 am
Why would we move in from Willis to free up cap space? His hit is 1.1 million per Spotrac. Even if OTC is correct at 1.4 million, the rookie UDFA base is $960k in 2025. just Thats a few 100k more than a UDFA rookie and less for a draft pick. Is that really a rumor?
That said, I would move on from Willis, rather than rent him for a year, if another GM sees him as a possible player to build a franchise around and offers accordingly. That’s a second and 5th (to trade for a replacement or pick one) at a minimum for me though. Not likely, not impossible after his showing and this year’s draft options. If we keep him we would get a pick in 2027 no better than a third, which is traditionally seen as equivalent to a 5th this year as the best outcome.
nagawicka
January 27, 2025 at 09:41 am
'Here, here's 6 magic beans'? No. No way. The draft is a crapshoot. Or, 'Oh, let me help you build your franchise'. Willis is in the catbirds seat, why would he want to go.
Leatherhead
January 25, 2025 at 11:00 am
We already held this discussion earlier this week, and most people feel a capable backup QB is worth at least as much as a Day2 pick who MIGHT become something.
Bitternotsour
January 25, 2025 at 12:18 pm
next year he's worth a 3rd in compensation. If he goes this year he's got to bring a pair of two's.
dobber
January 25, 2025 at 01:36 pm
"next year he's worth a 3rd in compensation."
Maybe, if the Packers don't sign guys that cancel out his contract in the compensatory pick "equations".
LeotisHarris
January 25, 2025 at 01:03 pm
What's the point of getting older if we can't have the same discussions?
dobber
January 25, 2025 at 01:39 pm
I think I've had the same discussion about six times in the last two days with my 15-year-old daughter.
Cheeseisgood
January 25, 2025 at 02:45 pm
Appreciating that statement, might be something that comes with age. :)
Starrbrite
January 25, 2025 at 04:37 pm
Ha —right Leotis
nagawicka
January 27, 2025 at 09:45 am
Most people don't feel trading Malik Willis for a Day2 pick is worth it or a good idea. It's not likely to improve the team and would be a setback in that effort.
Spock
January 25, 2025 at 11:08 am
"There are rumors..." Far as I can tell just on this site, lol.
Naglersucks
January 26, 2025 at 09:53 am
And cap hit has absolutely nothing to do with it. I'm seriously wondering if this is an AI article, because it's not great. And that's being as polite as possible
nagawicka
January 27, 2025 at 09:48 am
You can't justify trade proposals using the potential cap hit as an excuse. If there's some reason to trade Willis, you're not saying what. it. is. even though the onus is on you.
Packers0808
January 25, 2025 at 11:14 am
Can't rely it seems much on Love for the love of God keep Willis.
LeotisHarris
January 25, 2025 at 01:02 pm
Yoda?
SicSemperTyrannis
January 25, 2025 at 06:32 pm
Begun, it has
Packers0808
January 26, 2025 at 07:58 am
No Skeptic!
LambeauPlain
January 25, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Who is the source of the rumors to trade Willis? The first rumor I heard about it just came from Gill.
I see no way Gutey, after the concerns at back up QB, would trade a proven backup he traded for.
Any WOW offer would have come from a desperate team looking for a starter. Otherwise, he will remain a Packer. If he continues to grow, so will his future value. Willis was a shrewd investment and is turning out to be a great ROI.
dobber
January 25, 2025 at 01:46 pm
It's mostly the "swipe left" media that's generating speculation to get clicks.
He played well in a couple starts, and in relief he was fine, mostly against bad teams. The sample size on Willis in GB is really too small, IMO, to generate the trade offer it would take for the Packers to move Willis.
nagawicka
January 27, 2025 at 09:57 am
Here. Last week's discussion featured tons of folks stating *as though it were fact* that Malik Willis would be dumped. No link, no citation, no basis for claiming 'he'll want to start somewhere' when he's in the catbird seat here.
Agreed there is NO way Gute dumps Willis because WHY dismantle what GMs spend years and years and years trying to find? You looked for a backup QB, you found a backup QB, you just went and got that QB--we're not trading away what we traded FOR.
Yeah, Willis is gonna show up over and over again for the Packers in crucial situations and I'll be there to see it.
canadapacker
January 25, 2025 at 12:12 pm
You are always only one play away from a season ending injury. Even the likes of AR had some of those or some type of injury that takes weeks to recover. It is not about even getting a high round pick as a trade - then what do you do? Try and find another back up. It is not like any of our current rostered QB's are showing potential and could develop this off season. Now love isnt a running QB - like Tua, Jalen, Kyler etc - so that the chances of him getting pounded is unlikely - but that needs to be part of his game next season ( just make sure he slides). So they should definitely keep him - and it is hard to think of a deal that would involve a trade ( a second rounder still needs to develop and as I said why start the back up QB issue). Now there are some - especially on this site thinking that he should start - and the issue of Love having a teammates NOT committed to him is brought up. That is a bunch of bunk. KEEP HIM . I have even like the odd team that rotated QB's during games. Maybe running plays like New Orleans did with our ex Pack pick Taysom Hill.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 25, 2025 at 06:55 pm
Definitely! And if MLF draws up plays that use both him and #8 opposing defenses have to plan to handle that, even if he only uses it in one play in one preseason game (as long as it works)
GregC
January 25, 2025 at 12:35 pm
What's this about "rumors"? Does Gil know the difference between speculation and rumors?
I think Willis will stay unless someone offers at least a second round pick for him. That seems unlikely, but not impossible. Brett Favre was a second round pick for the Falcons who the Packers traded a first-round pick to acquire. Willis was a third round pick, so maybe someone could feel strongly enough about him to trade a second rounder. He does look like he could be worth that much.
Turophile
January 25, 2025 at 02:07 pm
I'm quite a long way from you in terms of what I think would be offered for Willis by other teams ( I'm guessing maybe a 5th ).
However, my estimation of his value TO GREEN BAY, is at least a third round pick. Therefore I don't think Willis is going anywhere, at least this year.
If he is, as I expect, Green Bay's backup in 2025, then from there, it might come down to what Willis himself wants. If his status continues to rise, he will want to start somewhere, which probably is not in Green Bay.
GregC
January 25, 2025 at 02:40 pm
Key words in my post: "unlikely" and "maybe." I was just trying to think of a scenario in which someone might offer a second round pick. All it takes is one team to do something like that. I agree that, to the Packers, he's at least worth a third.
EnemyTerritory
January 25, 2025 at 04:13 pm
The Packers traded a first rounder for a second rounder? Damn,I hope they fired that GM. You cannot overpay for a failed draft pick. It never works out.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 25, 2025 at 06:57 pm
Don't take him for one second. What do you do with it that isn't a losing proposition?
nagawicka
January 27, 2025 at 10:03 am
Trade 'value' does not allow you to conclude Willis is worth trading.
SinceLombardi
January 25, 2025 at 01:02 pm
Until I see Jordan Love play like a top 10 quarterback I’d rather keep Willis. I’m sure a renewed emphasis will be on Love running in 2025. Another reason to have a proven backup quarterback.
Turophile
January 25, 2025 at 02:15 pm
Don't you think his MCL sprain, and shoulder, groin and elbow injuries in 2024 contributed strongly to his less than stellar performance ?
Also, does Matt La Fleur's playcalling take a part of the blame for his performance.
I'm all-in on keeping Willis, but the implication that Love isn't good enough, must take some broader factors into account.
SinceLombardi
January 26, 2025 at 10:11 am
His accuracy, slow reads and improper mechanics went way past his injuries.
All quarterbacks play hurt for a few weeks. Was he hurt in the divisional game against the 49ers? That’s where his bad roll started. He wasn’t very good against Philly week 1 either.
Face it. He wasn’t good enough. For a variety of reasons. I don’t think his injuries are an excuse for inaccuracy or poor decision making.
Turophile
January 26, 2025 at 05:15 pm
I never said his injuries were the whole of the story..........but they ARE a part of the narrative.
You might be down on the idea of Love as our QB, I am optimistic for next year. We will agree to differ in our viewpoint.
nagawicka
January 27, 2025 at 10:08 am
Playing injured QBs is a bad idea and it affected Love same as it affected Favre, Rodgers -- it costs games and that's pointless when decent backup QBs are right there. Treating these guys like sacred cows is a bad mistake, bad management, you cannot treat quarterbacks differently like they're they only factor in franchise success. It doesn't work.
pantz_bURp
January 25, 2025 at 01:51 pm
Hang onto #2...like a wood tick!
End of discussion,
Pantz
Cheeseisgood
January 25, 2025 at 02:55 pm
I would agree with the concensus of keeping unless given a ridiculous offer.
But l also can see an instance where gute doesn't trust the depth of roster to make a deep playoff run. And in turn pull a Thompson type move and take best offer, so to get more picks.
Some of the positions on our roster can definitely be upgraded, depending on opinion. And of course Gutes is the one that counts.
Starrbrite
January 25, 2025 at 04:15 pm
You have to have a competent backup QB and I believe we should keep him.
I can make one exception however. I would be happy to trade Willis to the Raiders for Crosby.
Go Packers!!!
WD
January 26, 2025 at 07:23 am
Spot on Starrbright! I love Willis but this may be the best possible year to trade for Crosby (per Raider reports). Crosby has indicated that he is unhappy about the "stability " in the Raider organization. In addition, he is sick of playing for a losing team. Moreover, the Raiders are looking for a younger QB with potential.
Let's be honest, there is always a risk reward ratio for all actions.
I agree with Starrbrite that Maxx Crosby would be the lone exception. Willis and one or two mid round picks could possibly give the Packers the best defensive line in the league. I belong to the defense wins championship's crowd.
Starrbrite
January 26, 2025 at 02:25 pm
My sentiments exactly WD.
THESZOTMAN1
January 25, 2025 at 07:03 pm
Look.....
Willis is effective, has stayed healthy, has good command, is under contract for another year, and.......
he's CHEAP!
Ok, we trade Malik for a day 2 pick.
Then what?
The Szotman
JDH1313
January 25, 2025 at 07:49 pm
Everyone says keep him but another team may make a big offer Gutey can't refuse. Say a 2nd rd or a good pass rusher is in the offer. They can always pick up a back up for cheap.
bleedgreen
January 25, 2025 at 08:36 pm
Keep him unless you get a first round draft pick for him. Which we won't get.
HarryHodag
January 26, 2025 at 06:54 am
The probability of my proposal is likely close to zero but I think it is worth repeating: open the quarterback position to competition, contract be damned.
Love was hurt a good portion of the past season but even when supposedly healthy his accuracy was off. I don't know if the new contract affected him but he wasn't what he was the year before. Willis should be given a shot to start in camp. The healthy competition would sharpen Love--hopefully--and give other teams needing a quarterback a look at Willis for a trade. Love's contract makes that a tough pill to swallow if he doesn't win the competition(he likely would) but competition sharpens the senses. How many times have we seen athletes not perform at previous levels after getting the big contract?
I would prefer to see Love play at the high level we've seen him play but the quarterback must lead the team forward.
PhantomII
January 26, 2025 at 02:43 pm
His contract affected him because he sat out until he got paid....lost any positive gains with his WR's then played like crap in game 1....and got hurt.
Dzehren
January 26, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Of course. Willis is still on his rookie contract with a $1.1 Million salary. This is a no brainer.
Cartwright
January 27, 2025 at 05:51 am
If you got trade bait use it, especially if the player isn't a starter. Gute said he's swinging for the fences this year to get us to the next level. Package Malik with Van ness and go shopping, they are both promising players to a team with a proven commodity at DE and a need at QB. Sounds like the Raiders to me. Make it happen Gutey, hit that home run. Go pack go.
jimtalkbox
January 27, 2025 at 11:31 am
Malik is worth his weight in gold at this point. He's still young, but not pushing for a starting spot. However, he's proven that he can function within the offense and better yet, "WIN" when called upon.
If you want to "develop" a young guy, that's your 3rd QB.