Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis is set to become a free agent this offseason, and he appears likely to get a big opportunity as a result of it.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst admitted that the team will likely be unable to retain Willis as Jordan Love’s backup for next season. Gutekunst predicted that Willis will land with a team that will give him the opportunity to win a starting job.
Gutekunst acknowledges they're probably losing Malik Willis to a team that will at least allow him to compete for a starting job.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) February 4, 2026
Willis played in four games last season as Jordan Love dealt with a handful of injuries. The Packers generally kept the gameplan conservative for him, but he did go 30/35 overall with three touchdowns. He also went 2-0 as a starter for Green Bay in 2024. Add in that he showed real potential during some of his appearances and you have a player that quarterback-needy teams will be interested in.
Teams like the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Miami Dolphins could be in need of a quick fix at quarterback next season. It likely depends on how much money Willis will command in free agency, but it will obviously be more than the Packers are willing to pay him.
This also means the Packers will need to find a new backup quarterback for 2026. That may matter, as Love has had a few injury scares over the past several years.
