Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis will be a free agent in the coming months, and the former third-round pick will likely make a lot of money. Originally selected by the Tennessee Titans, the Liberty product didn’t do much down south but found life as Jordan Love’s backup. During his three starts over the past two seasons, Willis completed a staggering 78.7% of his passes for 972 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions while adding another 261 yards and three scores on the ground.
Willis will not maintain these insane numbers over an extended sample, but he looks like a legitimate starting-caliber quarterback. Someone will pay up for his services, and reports from Jason La Canfora indicate the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Miami Dolphins are three frontrunners for his services.
Steelers, Dolphins, Browns Fighting For Free Agent Malik Willis
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly want to bring Aaron Rodgers back for one more season, but the four-time MVP might be the Plan B behind Malik Willis. While Rodgers is easily the more accomplished quarterback, he’s not the player he once was and is a year-to-year option at this stage in his career. Malik Willis, meanwhile, is entering his age-27 season and has the potential to be the team’s answer under center for the next decade. The Steelers haven’t had a true franchise quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger injured his elbow early in the 2019 season, and Willis could finally offer this team some long-term hope. With his help, Pittsburgh might finally win a playoff game for the first time in a decade.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins make the most sense as a free agent destination for Malik Willis. While Tua Tagovailoa is technically still a member of the organization, it’s safe to assume Miami will release him in the coming months. The Alabama product was never as good as his raw numbers under former head coach Mike McDaniel would suggest, and years of injuries have limited his physical abilities. First-year head coach Jeff Hafley spent the past two seasons with the Green Bay Packers, so he should know what Willis brings to the table.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns will likely continue their endless search for a franchise quarterback in the coming months. Shedeur Sanders has a strong fanbase, but the fifth-round pick finished at or near the bottom of every passing statistic last year. First-year head coach Todd Monken will want a proven option to lead his offense, and Malik Willis is the right choice for the job. The only question is whether the team can afford him, as they only have $3.2 million in available cap space. Nobody knows what Malik Willis will receive as a free agent, but it’s hard to envision Cleveland handing out franchise quarterback money for an unproven veteran.
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