It's unfathomable to think that Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis' career was on thin ice just a few years ago after what we saw out of him on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.
A former third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2022, Willis ultimately struck out in Nashville after two seasons.
While Willis didn't exactly get a fair shake with an awful supporting cast and just three starts over his tenure with the Titans, he didn't look anywhere near even a backup-caliber quarterback in Nashville.
In 2024, Willis was shipped off by the Titans to Green Bay for a measly seventh-round pick, and that trade has proven to be a total steal for the Packers while also being the best thing that could have happened to the Liberty product.
Willis showed incredible progress during his first season with Green Bay while winning both of his starts in place of an injured Jordan Love.
And Willis has looked even better in 2025.
He was lights out in Week 16 after Love exited with his concussion, and then in Week 17 Willis had another outstanding game in place of Love, completing 18-of-21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown while adding nine carries for 60 yards and two more touchdowns in the loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Willis isn't just game-managing, either. The young signal-caller is making all the throws at all three levels of the field and is showing fantastic pocket presence. Willis has also gotten so much better at picking his spots to run.
As Willis continues to impress in a backup role in Green Bay, he is making the case he deserves a look as a starter moving forward.
Of course, that is not going to happen in Green Bay as long as Love is around, but Willis is going to be a free agent in 2026 and should garner plenty of interest from quarterback-needy teams.
If that turns out to be the case, Willis is also going to get a significant raise from the $1.1 million he made this season.
As far as a contract projection goes, we could see Willis at least landing himself a contract similar to that of Justin Fields with the New York Jets, which was for two years and $40 million, but it's very possible he could get more than that.
Whatever the case may be, Willis is well on his way to earning a starting role elsewhere in 2026, and a significant pay raise along with it.
More NFL News
- Lions rumor opens door for Detroit to hire new OC from rival
- Fred Warner injury update is exciting news for 49ers
- Joe Burrow expected to be subject of offseason trade calls
- Steelers injury updates offer good and bad news for Week 17
- Max Brosmer made NFL history that will make Lions fans sick