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The writing is on the wall for the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Malik Willis, who -- as a backup behind Jordan Love over the last two seasons -- has turned himself into a coveted free agent option this offseason. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst even admitted that Willis will have better opportunities to be a starter elsewhere, and the money on a new deal is expected to approach or beat the two-year, $40 million deal signed by Justin Fields last offseason.
Willis is going to get a legitimate opportunity to be a starter and the money that accompanies the opportunity as an ascending young quarterback in the NFL.
So, where are the best spots for Willis entering free agency?
Assessing the top landing spots for the Packers' free agent quarterback:
The obvious one. The Dolphins are starting over with former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and Packers personnel executive Jon-Eric Sullivan, and there's a good chance the two will want to start a new era with a new quarterback. Who better to chart a new path with Hafley and Sullivan than a former Packers quarterback who proved he's ready for a bigger opportunity over the last two seasons in Green Bay?
From Dolphins Wire editor Adam Stites: "The Dolphins’ plan at quarterback isn't clear, but splitting with Tua Tagovailoa appears to be a foregone conclusion. That’ll leave the team with Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller, a pair of young passers who have potential but probably aren't close to being full-time NFL starters. So that leaves the Dolphins on the hunt for at least one more quarterback with neither a top 10 pick nor a ton of salary cap space at their disposal. With a weak draft class at the position, Miami will probably need to find the money to wade into the free agency pool. And it’s hard to find a better, or more logical option than Willis who would be reunited with new Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, who both worked in Green Bay before taking over in Miami."
The LaFleur connection. If the Cardinals are done with the Kyler Murray era, Willis could be an obvious replacement given his experience in the Matt LaFleur offense and the arrival of Mike LaFleur as Arizona's coach. Pro football is all about connections, and no one could provide a better point of reference on Willis than Mike's older brother.
From Cards Wire editor Jess Root: "The Cardinals' quarterback situation is questionable, at best. The team appears to want to move Kyler Murray, and while Jacoby Brissett is a solid backup, going 1-11 as a starter last season, he clearly isn't the answer to win games. Willis, among all the potential free agent quarterbacks, has decent upside, although with risk, having started only six games in his career. But they have intel because Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort was in the Tennessee Titans' front office when they drafted Willis, new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was in Green Bay last season and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur's older brother."
The "caution ahead" situation. The Jets took a swing on Justin Fields last offseason and it didn't pan out. Aaron Glenn desperately needs a franchise quarterback to turn the Jets around after a disastrous first season, but is Willis a fit with new offensive coordinator Frank Reich? The opportunity to play is obviously important, but the situation is vital for Willis, and the Jets are a risky landing spot for an ascending quarterback who needs the right playcaller and supporting cast.
The rival scenario. The Vikings will be on the hunt for veteran competition at quarterback, and Willis could be an ideal option -- the Packers trained Willis in a similar offense, and the Vikings must add a legit competitor for J.J. McCarthy after a disappointing 2025 season.
From Vikings Wire editor Andrew Harbaugh: "I think they COULD be but whether they actually can is another story. They have to restructure some players cap numbers to get compliant and from there they have more pressing needs (yes, quarterback is the most important position) that have to be addressed. If they had the cap space I think he makes all the sense in the world but I eventually think they trade for a cheaper option or sign a veteran for less than it would cost to retain Malik Willis’ talents."
The Rodgers backup plan? The reunion of Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh looks likely, but in the event that Rodgers retires or wants to play elsewhere in 2025, signing Willis could be the Steelers' top backup plan at quarterback.
From Steelers Wire editor Curt Popejoy: "The Steelers are preparing to go into another season with another new starting quarterback. For the sake of stability, signing Malik Willis makes a ton of sense, especially with more questions than answers in the NFL draft. He didn’t cross paths with Mike McCarthy in Green Bay, but I’m sure McCarthy will do his homework on him. From a fan's point of view, signing Willis would be some level of vindication after selecting Kenny Pickett in the first round of that same draft when so many fans wanted Willis instead."
The "We don't actually believe in Shedeur Sanders" option. The Browns have three quarterbacks on the roster in Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson, but new coach Todd Monken -- who coached Lamar Jackson last year -- might want (and should want) more from the position. Sanders created eight total touchdowns and had a 68.1 passer rating over seven starts as a rookie; Willis had nine total touchdowns and a 134.6 passer rating over 11 appearances for the Packers over the last two seasons. The guess here is Willis would beat out Sanders in a legitimate quarterback competition in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Top potential landing spots for Packers free agent QB Malik Willis
Continue reading...
Willis is going to get a legitimate opportunity to be a starter and the money that accompanies the opportunity as an ascending young quarterback in the NFL.
So, where are the best spots for Willis entering free agency?
Assessing the top landing spots for the Packers' free agent quarterback:
Miami Dolphins
The obvious one. The Dolphins are starting over with former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and Packers personnel executive Jon-Eric Sullivan, and there's a good chance the two will want to start a new era with a new quarterback. Who better to chart a new path with Hafley and Sullivan than a former Packers quarterback who proved he's ready for a bigger opportunity over the last two seasons in Green Bay?
From Dolphins Wire editor Adam Stites: "The Dolphins’ plan at quarterback isn't clear, but splitting with Tua Tagovailoa appears to be a foregone conclusion. That’ll leave the team with Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller, a pair of young passers who have potential but probably aren't close to being full-time NFL starters. So that leaves the Dolphins on the hunt for at least one more quarterback with neither a top 10 pick nor a ton of salary cap space at their disposal. With a weak draft class at the position, Miami will probably need to find the money to wade into the free agency pool. And it’s hard to find a better, or more logical option than Willis who would be reunited with new Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, who both worked in Green Bay before taking over in Miami."
Arizona Cardinals
The LaFleur connection. If the Cardinals are done with the Kyler Murray era, Willis could be an obvious replacement given his experience in the Matt LaFleur offense and the arrival of Mike LaFleur as Arizona's coach. Pro football is all about connections, and no one could provide a better point of reference on Willis than Mike's older brother.
From Cards Wire editor Jess Root: "The Cardinals' quarterback situation is questionable, at best. The team appears to want to move Kyler Murray, and while Jacoby Brissett is a solid backup, going 1-11 as a starter last season, he clearly isn't the answer to win games. Willis, among all the potential free agent quarterbacks, has decent upside, although with risk, having started only six games in his career. But they have intel because Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort was in the Tennessee Titans' front office when they drafted Willis, new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was in Green Bay last season and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur's older brother."
New York Jets
The "caution ahead" situation. The Jets took a swing on Justin Fields last offseason and it didn't pan out. Aaron Glenn desperately needs a franchise quarterback to turn the Jets around after a disastrous first season, but is Willis a fit with new offensive coordinator Frank Reich? The opportunity to play is obviously important, but the situation is vital for Willis, and the Jets are a risky landing spot for an ascending quarterback who needs the right playcaller and supporting cast.
Minnesota Vikings
The rival scenario. The Vikings will be on the hunt for veteran competition at quarterback, and Willis could be an ideal option -- the Packers trained Willis in a similar offense, and the Vikings must add a legit competitor for J.J. McCarthy after a disappointing 2025 season.
From Vikings Wire editor Andrew Harbaugh: "I think they COULD be but whether they actually can is another story. They have to restructure some players cap numbers to get compliant and from there they have more pressing needs (yes, quarterback is the most important position) that have to be addressed. If they had the cap space I think he makes all the sense in the world but I eventually think they trade for a cheaper option or sign a veteran for less than it would cost to retain Malik Willis’ talents."
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Rodgers backup plan? The reunion of Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh looks likely, but in the event that Rodgers retires or wants to play elsewhere in 2025, signing Willis could be the Steelers' top backup plan at quarterback.
From Steelers Wire editor Curt Popejoy: "The Steelers are preparing to go into another season with another new starting quarterback. For the sake of stability, signing Malik Willis makes a ton of sense, especially with more questions than answers in the NFL draft. He didn’t cross paths with Mike McCarthy in Green Bay, but I’m sure McCarthy will do his homework on him. From a fan's point of view, signing Willis would be some level of vindication after selecting Kenny Pickett in the first round of that same draft when so many fans wanted Willis instead."
Cleveland Browns
The "We don't actually believe in Shedeur Sanders" option. The Browns have three quarterbacks on the roster in Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Deshaun Watson, but new coach Todd Monken -- who coached Lamar Jackson last year -- might want (and should want) more from the position. Sanders created eight total touchdowns and had a 68.1 passer rating over seven starts as a rookie; Willis had nine total touchdowns and a 134.6 passer rating over 11 appearances for the Packers over the last two seasons. The guess here is Willis would beat out Sanders in a legitimate quarterback competition in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Top potential landing spots for Packers free agent QB Malik Willis
Continue reading...
