NFL Rumors: Malik Willis Traded to Packers as Backup for Jordan Love; Titans Receive Draft Pick
The Green Bay Packers reportedly bolstered their quarterback depth behind Jordan Love on Monday.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Packers traded a 2025 seventh-round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for quarterback Malik Willis. Selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Willis failed to meet expectations during his time with the Titans.
Despite showcasing impressive dual-threat abilities at Liberty, Willis dropped to the third round in a weak 2022 quarterback class. B/R’s NFL Scouting Department ranked him as the second-best quarterback behind Desmond Ridder, highlighting the underperformance of that draft class in the NFL.
Others such as Kenny Pickett (No. 3), Matt Corral (No. 4) and Sam Howell (No. 5) have been inconsistent or failed to play their way into starting roles. In fact, only Brock Purdy has exceeded expectations from that class, and he was the final pick of the entire draft.
Willis appeared in 11 games with three starts in two years for the Titans and completed 53 percent of his passes for 350 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions while running for 144 yards and a score.
He went 1-2 as a starter, although he completed just six passes in the win over the Houston Texans in October 2022 and instead relied on Derrick Henry to do much of the work.
Perhaps a change of scenery will help Willis take the next step as a player even if he will only be in a backup role behind Love. And that seems to be the role he will play, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted he will “likely” be the primary backup.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky also weighed in on the situation:
The Green Bay Packers, fresh off a playoff appearance and with a rich history of quarterback success featuring Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and now Jordan Love, have added Malik Willis to their roster. Willis will have the opportunity to learn in this environment and could potentially contribute in certain situations if called upon.
However, he’ll need to adjust quickly, as the Packers kick off their season on Sept. 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.
