Should the Packers Panic with Malik Willis Stepping In?
Green Bay’s first game of the season was defined by a series of sloppy mistakes. The lack of preseason play was evident in the game’s poor execution, with numerous bad throws, missed tackles, drops, penalties, and a missed field goal. After what seemed like a torturous game full of the Packers being their own worst enemy, the final blow came when quarterback Jordan Love suffered an injury that initially appeared season-ending. Fortunately, Love is only expected to miss three to six weeks due to an MCL sprain. Although the Packers will be missing their star, the show must go on. With Malik Willis as the understudy, will he be able to manage and secure a few wins in Love's absence?
Newly acquired second-string quarterback Malik Willis will assume the starting quarterback position with only 11 days under his belt as a Packer. The Packers organization recently traded a seventh-round draft pick to the Titans specifically for this scenario. Likely, they did not anticipate needing him so soon. It is similar to a new hire getting promoted to manager, which is not an ideal situation for any workplace. Despite his resume showcasing a mix of the good, the bad, and the ugly, it was compelling enough for Green Bay to make a move for him.
The NFL career of the former Titans quarterback has yet to match his college performance which led to him being the third quarterback taken in the 2022 NFL Draft—though the 2022 NFL Draft class was not particularly rich in standout quarterbacks. During his two years at Liberty University, Willis threw for 5,117 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions while completing 62.4% of his passes. He was highly regarded as a top quarterback prospect due to his dual-threat athletic ability, drawing comparisons to Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson. While Willis has potential, those college achievements have not yet translated into success at the NFL level.
Unfortunately, his NFL career has not lived up to expectations and offers little reassurance. In his rookie year, he started three games, completing just 50.8% of his passes with no touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 42.8 passer rating—statistics that hardly inspire confidence. Although his starting opportunities were limited, he demonstrated improvement as a passer this past preseason completing 74.1% of his passes. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst noted, “You saw the flashes early on in his preseason work. But then I thought this year, the way his patience and the way he was going through his progressions and ability to play from the pocket. When to run, when not to run. Those kind of things progressed.” On the brighter side, circumstances can make a big difference for some players, and Green Bay just so happens to be known for developing quarterbacks. The key question now is whether he is ready for this role.
He’ll be entering a scenario with Josh Jacobs in his backfield—a solid running game—and pass-catching threats like Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Tucker Kraft, and Luke Musgrave. Additionally, Jordan Love is expected to have a first or second-degree MCL sprain, suggesting he might return sooner rather than later. This makes the situation less dire than initially feared. Even if the Packers were to lose every game during Love’s four-week absence, they would theoretically need only nine more wins to secure a playoff spot. This favorable outlook significantly reduces the need to trade draft capital for a backup like Jameis Winston or Taylor Heinicke. However, if the Packers feel Willis isn’t ready, they could consider signing free agent Ryan Tannehill, who is familiar with the system and has experience. Nonetheless, unless Love’s recovery takes longer than expected, it seems more likely that Willis will be the starter.
The next three opponents the Packers face are the Colts, the Titans, and the Vikings—games that are all within reach given the talent surrounding Willis. The question now is whether Willis can rise to the occasion and win some games while Love is sidelined. Over the coming weeks, Willis has a chance to demonstrate he can handle the starting role. Whether he seizes the opportunity is entirely up to him.
