Last season, the Green Bay Packers had the misfortune of seeing their starting quarterback, Jordan Love, suffer a sprained MCL in their very first game of the season. Luckily, prior to the start of the 2024 regular season, Packers general manager sent a seventh round pick to the Tennessee Titans for Malik Willis, who performed admirably for Green Bay despite being with the team for less than three weeks before he was forced to start two games while Love was injured.
All told, Willis finished the 2024 season with a 74.1% completion percentage, 550 passing yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 124.8.
This year, Love has been able to stay healthy through the Packers’ first two games, and Willis has not needed to come in at all. Other teams, though, have not been as fortunate. Multiple starting quarterbacks around the NFL have gone down with various injuries through the first two weeks, including Cincinnati Bengals starter Joe Burrow.
The Green Bay Packers will not face Joe Burrow when they play the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow walks off the field after a toe injury during NFL Week 2 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, September 14, 2025.
On Sunday, Burrow exited Cincinnati’s victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars with an apparent foot injury. After the game, it was revealed that he had turf toe, but a severe form of his that includes torn tendons and will likely require surgery.
Should this be the case, Burrow will be out at least three months, meaning that Green Bay will not face him when they travel to take on the Bengals in Week Six.
Jake Browning will now be Cincinnati’s starter, and he finished their win on Sunday with 241 passing yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
But the Bengals suddenly find themselves without a reliable backup (to their backup), and have been calling around the league trying to trade for one.
And they have inquired about Willis.
The Green Bay Packers have turned down a trade offer for Malik Willis
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) against the New Orleans Saints on Monday, December 23, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Saints 34-0.
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
According to Easton Butler of Packer Report, Green Bay was one of the teams the Bengals called, and they asked about the availability of Willis. They even offered a sixth round pick for the soon-to-be free agent, but so far Green Bay is holding onto their backup:
Also called about Malik Willis. https://t.co/6bopP1tXUc
— Easton Butler (@Easton__Butler) September 15, 2025
Willis is in the final year of his rookie contract, and will likely try to land a starting job in the NFL next year. The Packers, of course, will be in the market for another backup quarterback, but for now want to keep Willis on the roster as they know exactly what they have in him.
Furthermore, Green Bay will likely get a much better compensation pick than a sixth rounder whenever Willis signs with a different team in free agency.
A sixth round pick, though better than what the Packers initially gave up for Willis, is a low-ball offer.
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