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The Green Bay Packers reportedly made a new addition on Monday, as they acquired quarterback Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The acquisition of the 2022 third-round pick appears to provide the Packers with a new backup for star quarterback Jordan Love. Green Bay’s depth chart at the position now looks like this:
- QB: Jordan Love, Malik Willis, Sean Clifford, Michael Pratt
Trading for Willis is a low-risk move for the Packers. While the team is over the cap with an adjusted salary cap of $267.7 million, per Spotrac, Willis won’t have too much of a financial impact. The 25-year-old is set to make $1.1 million in 2024 and $1.4 million in 2025, which is the final year of his rookie contract.
Willis played all three of Tennessee’s preseason games with one start and completed 20 of his 27 passes (74.1 percent) for 205 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
The Liberty product has seen limited action in his first two years in the NFL, putting up career numbers of 350 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions on 35-of-66 passing (53.0 percent) in 11 appearances.
Joining the Packers gives Willis a chance to learn under head coach Matt LaFleur while preparing to fill in when needed. Love showed his durability by starting all 17 games last season in his first full year as Green Bay’s starter, so it could be a while before Willis sees the field again.
The Packers should be excited about their quarterback room as they enter the 2024 season, as Willis gives them another young player to develop the way Love did over the past few years.