Packers trade for former Titans QB Malik Willis
Green Bay has a new quarterback after Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt failed to run away with the backup job.
By Justis Mosqueda Aug 26, 2024, 4:51pm CDT
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024/8/26/24229146/green-bay-packers-news-malik-willis-trade-tennessee-titans-quarterback-2024
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Green Bay Packers have sent their 2025 seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for quarterback Malik Willis. Schefter added that Willis “is likely to back up Jordan Love.”
The Packers have had a quarterback competition between Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, two draft picks over the last two draft classes, for the QB2 role. Neither has performed particularly well, leading to the trade for Willis. Willis, a 2022 third-round pick, has started three games in his NFL career. So far, he’s thrown 35 completions off of 66 attempts for 350 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also rushed for 144 yards and scored once on the ground.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is tight with former Titans head coach Mike Vrable, who coached Willis over his first two years in the league. You’d think that LaFleur received some information from Vrable before the team pulled the trigger on the trade.
As the Titan’s third-string quarterback this summer, Willis got an extended look in the preseason. He completed 28 of 51 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns to just one interception. The most notable play on his resume from the preseason was a beautiful touchdown versus the New Orleans Saints in the Titans’ preseason finale. He also ran for 101 yards this preseason.
Whether or not the Packers decide to keep a third quarterback on the active roster this season is still unknown. On Monday, the NFLPA elected to veto the NFL’s proposal to allow a third emergency to be activated from the practice squad in-game if the two active quarterbacks on the 53-man roster go down with injuries. There might be some real incentive for Green Bay to keep three players at the position, considering the veto and Willis’ lack of knowledge of the offensive system going into Week 1.
Willis is going into the third year of his four-year rookie deal. The Packers are set to pay him $1.2 million in salary in 2024 and $1.4 million in 2025, both of which are non-guaranteed.