The general assumption in the NFL world appears to be that Malik Willis is a goner.
The Green Bay Packers' backup QB has played so well in relief of Jordan Love that his free agency this offseason seems likely to have him end up elsewhere for solid money and potentially even a starting job.
NFL.com writer Nick Shook thinks there's a reason for the Packers to reconsider, though.
Shook suggests that Jordan Love's backup may be too valuable for the Packers to let leave.
"Willis has all but graduated from Matt LaFleur's QB finishing school after two seasons in Green Bay -- and he successfully defended his thesis in a Week 17 start against Baltimore, delivering a truly mesmerizing performance that should resonate with quarterback-needy teams well beyond January," Shook writes. "That showing -- plus Willis' ability to maintain Green Bay's offensive effectiveness even in games that he entered at a moment's notice -- has likely convinced a number of suitors that the former Titans third-round pick can handle the job of a starter. But he's also arguably the most valuable backup in the NFL. The Packers shouldn't just let that walk out the door, not with Jordan Love missing time over the past two seasons with injuries."
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The tough part for the Packers will be the amount of QB-needy teams this offseason.
Would it be shocking for someone like the Jets (assuming Justin Fields is gone) or the Steelers (assuming Aaron Rodgers retires) take a shot on Willis?
He won't sign for so much that he crushes a team's cap sheet for years to come. But he appears good enough to entrust with real responsibility heading into next season.
Willis has no real incentive to settle for being Green Bay's backup, so the Packers would likely have to blow him away with an offer to keep him in town, assuming the rest of his market is as energized as expected.
It is fascinating to see someone urge the Packers to keep Willis, though, because most of this offseason will be about the new destination for Willis, not the place he's leaving.
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