Revenge is the last thing on the mind of Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis heading Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans traded Willis to the Packers on the eve of final cuts after he could not secure the backup quarterback job behind Will Levis. Despite being dealt in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick, Willis has no hard feelings toward the team that drafted him.
“I could care less, bro. I think I got paid the whole time I was there,” said Willis. “I’m more than blessed for the opportunity they’ve given me. They brought me into this league, whether those guys are there or not. That organization, they took a shot on me. Miss Amy (Adams Strunk), they did a great job by me, for all I’m concerned.”
Tennessee used a third-round pick on Willis in 2022 following a productive career at Liberty University, where he showcased promising upside as a dual-threat quarterback. Over two seasons, Willis appeared in 11 games for the Titans, including three starts, completing 35 of 66 passes for 350 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 144 yards and a touchdown.
Following a rocky start to his NFL career, Willis completed 20 of 27 passes for 205 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception during the 2024 preseason. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst saw enough improvement out of Willis to feel comfortable with making him the backup behind Jordan Love.
“Malik is a guy that, in his third year, he’s really shown a lot of progression, particularly in this past preseason,” Gutekunst said. “Just an opportunity for us to add a guy who I think can not only make plays with his arm but with his legs as well. Excited to get him.”
Willis caught on quickly in Green Bay, serving as the team’s backup for the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles despite having less than two weeks to learn the playbook. He was then put into the difficult situation of trying to mount a miracle comeback on the final two plays after Love exited the game with an injury. His first attempt was incomplete, and the next play ended with him getting sacked.
When Love was ruled doubtful for the Week 2 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, Willis got his first start since his rookie season. He enjoyed an efficient day through the air, completing 86 percent of his throws for 122 yards, and even recorded his first career passing touchdown. Willis also flashed his scrambling ability, rushing six times for 41 yards. Opting for Willis turned out to be the right call, as he helped lead the Packers to their first win of the season.
“I don’t think you guys can appreciate or even comprehend the task that Malik Willis…this guy got here three weeks ago,” coach Matt LaFleur said after the win. “For him to go out there and command our offense, we still had a lot of long calls, we had shifts, motions, a ton of different run schemes. There was a lot put on his plate. And for him to go out there and do what he did today, I think that speaks volumes of who he is as a person and the work he put in. I’m just super proud of him.”
Just three years into his NFL career, Willis has already overcome a ton of adversity, doing so with true professionalism.
Once Love returns from injury, Willis knows he will have to go back to holding a clipboard. That could be sooner than expected since Love returned to the practice field on Wednesday as a limited participant and is considered “day-to-day.”
As far as what that means for Willis, he plans to keep doing what he’s been doing. Which is maintaining focus and preparing in case his number is called again.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Willis said of Love’s chances to play against the Titans. “I just have to stay ready and focus on what I can control. The rest I will leave up to him (Love) and Coach LaFleur.
“I just continue to try and work hard and take advantage of every opportunity I can get.”
