Malik Willis brings athleticism and potential to the backup QB position

The Green Bay Packers weren’t happy with the performances of Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt during the preseason, so they took alternative measures to find their backup quarterback. Green Bay sent a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans on Monday in exchange for Malik Willis.
Slated to be the third quarterback on Tennessee’s depth chart, Willis will have the opportunity to be Green Bay’s first option if Jordan Love gets injured.

A third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Willis has played in 11 games over his first two seasons, including three starts. He has completed 53 percent of his pass attempts for 350 yards and has yet to throw a touchdown pass in the NFL. However, he has shown mobility at times, rushing for 144 yards and a touchdown.

At just 25, Willis has plenty of time to develop behind Love. Given his talent, athleticism and potential, the Packers likely believe he has more upside than Clifford and Pratt. Willis also offers more stability as a backup.

To get a deeper look at what the Packers saw in Willis, we’ll rewatch some of his video from his first two seasons and the 2024 preseason.

Let’s begin.

Willis’ three starts came in his rookie season, when the Titans ran a very simplified offense. However, he was able to showcase his running abilities on his first career touchdown against the Houston Texans. Willis ran the read option and even broke a tackle before using his speed and tenacity to find the end zone.

Some are concerned about his ball handling and decision making. In the clip below, the Texans put some early pressure on Willis. Forced to throw the ball in a hurry, he doesn’t see the linebacker and throws an interception. Taking care of the ball is a top priority for NFL quarterbacks, and Willis is still learning that.

When given time, he’s capable of making good decisions. On the next play, he makes the right read and hits the tight end who’s running for a drop, but the pass is low. Better positioning might have allowed the tight end to move upfield for more yards. Accuracy is another area where Willis needs to be more consistent.

Moving Willis is a recipe for success. It allows him to read half the field, which allows him to make better decisions. Clearly, the potential is there.

The following clip is from this year’s preseason. Willis looks a little bouncy, but he does a good job navigating the pocket and going through his progressions before making a throw. It’s a nice tight spiral, but unfortunately it misses the intended target. The process looks good; he just needs to throw a better pass.

The Packers likely highlighted and circled this next play as they evaluated Willis. This throw illustrates the strength and talent in his arm and why he’s a good project for your QB room. It’s a real arrow in a tight window where only his receiver can catch it.

Willis rushed for over 2,000 yards in college. When you see plays like this, it’s not hard to see why. Even when the edge tries to contain the option, Willis is fast enough to turn the corner and pick up a sizable gain.

You can see some noticeable growth in Willis’ handling. He makes several reads in the clip below before checking the ball down to his running back. He looks much more comfortable in Year 3.

Here’s a good example of Willis delivering an accurate pass despite pressure. Note his footwork in the pocket and how he places the ball on his receiver’s inside shoulder, away from the defender.

Despite his maturity, Willis can still be a little overzealous at times, like on this multi-level throw. He clearly has an elite arm, but it’s a dangerous move that he ultimately pays the price for. He would have been better off extending the play and waiting for someone to open up. Even a throw would have been better. There was no need to rush because he was also operating out of a clean pocket.

Let’s end on a positive note. Willis has a big arm and he showed it in the last preseason game. The receiver wins on his fade from the slot and Willis sends a nice ball right into his pocket. You could say it’s a little underrated, but you can’t argue with the result.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Green Bay acquired a third-round talent for a seventh-round pick and significantly bolstered its quarterback depth. Willis is a legitimate dual-threat QB with a big arm and plenty of room to grow. While his handling and accuracy need some work, his athleticism and upside are a clear upgrade over Clifford and Pratt. It will be interesting to see how quarterbacks coach Tom Clements can further develop Willis, especially after his recent success with Jordan Love.