Revenge is the last thing on Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis’ mind as he heads into Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans traded Willis to the Packers on the eve of final cuts after he failed to secure the backup quarterback spot behind Will Levis. Despite being traded for a 2025 seventh-round pick, Willis holds no grudge against the team that drafted him.
“I don’t care, man. I think I got paid the whole time I was there,” Willis said. “I’m more than blessed for the opportunity they gave me. They brought me to this league, whether these guys are there or not. This organization, they gave me a chance. Miss Amy (Adams Strunk), they did a great job as far as I’m concerned.”
Tennessee used a third-round pick on Willis in 2022 after a productive career at Liberty University, where he showed promise 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.
After a coarse start to his NFL career, Willis completed 20 of 27 passes for 205 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the 2024 preseason. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst saw enough improvement in Willis to feel comfortable making him the backup behind Jordan Love.
“Malik is a guy who has really shown a lot of improvement in his third year, especially this last preseason,” Gutekunst said. “It’s an opportunity for us to get a guy who I think can not only play with his arm but also with his feet. We’re happy to have him.”
Willis quickly found his footing in Green Bay, serving as the team’s backup in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles despite having less than two weeks to learn the game. Then he found himself in a tough spot trying to pull off a miraculous comeback on the final two plays after Love left the game with an injury. His first attempt was unsuccessful, and his next ended in his release.
When Love was ruled questionable for the Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts, Willis got his first start since his rookie season. He spent the day through the air, completing 86 percent of his throws for 122 yards and even notching his first career touchdown. Willis also showed off his scrambling skills, rushing six times for 41 yards. The Willis selection proved to be the right decision, as he helped the Packers to their first win of the season.
“I don’t think you can appreciate or even comprehend the task that Malik Willis … that guy was given three weeks ago,” coach Matt LaFleur said after the win. “For him to go out there and command our offense, still have a lot of long decisions, changes, moves, a lot of different running patterns. A lot was thrown at him. And for him to go out there and do what he did today, I think it says a lot about who he is as a person and the work he puts in. I’m just super proud of him.”
In just three years of his NFL career, Willis has already overcome many adversities while demonstrating true professionalism.
When Love returns from injury, Willis knows he’ll have to get back to holding the clipboard. That could come sooner than expected, as Love returned to the practice field Wednesday as a restricted participant and is considered “day-to-day.”
As for what this means for Willis, he plans to continue doing what he’s been doing: staying focused and preparing in case his number is called again.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Willis said of Love’s chances of playing against the Titans. “I just have to be ready and focus on what I can control. The rest I’ll leave up to him (Love) and coach LaFleur.”
“I just try to keep working hard and take advantage of every opportunity I can get.”
