The Green Bay Packers could soon face a significant financial decision at quarterback. As contract projections begin to surface, analysis suggests Malik Willis may be in line for a substantial raise on his next deal.
Market comparisons provide a clearer picture of what that contract might look like for Willis. When Brock Osweiler signed for $18 million per year in 2016, the deal represented roughly 8.6 percent of the league’s salary cap at the time.
Green Bay Packers, Malik Willis
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) surveys the field before being sacked by Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
Fast forward a decade and the cap is projected to exceed $300 million. Applying that same percentage would translate to an annual value of approximately $26 million, a figure that several analysts view as a reasonable benchmark for Willis if he continues to trend upward.
Other recent quarterback contracts offer additional context. Justin Fields secured a two-year deal averaging $20 million annually with the Jets, while Baker Mayfield is earning $33 million per season in Tampa Bay. The gap between those two numbers places Willis squarely in a middle tier, suggesting a potential sweet spot around the mid-$20 million range.
ESPN’s NFL Analysis Projects Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis Next Contract
Green Bay Packers, Malik Willis
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
As it stands, Willis is predicted to get paid for his next contract. This is detailed more in an analysis by Ben Solak for ESPN.
Osweiler got $18 million per year, which was about 8.6% of the 2016 salary cap. A decade later, with a salary cap projection just over $300 million, a similar deal would cost $26 million per year. This feels like the correct value for Willis. Fields made $20 million per year on his two-year contract with the Jets, and Mayfield is making $33 million per year in Tampa Bay. That $13 million difference between the two feels like the sweet spot for Willis.
Such a contract would reflect both upside and caution. Willis has flashed the athletic traits and arm strength teams covet, but he remains in the process of proving long-term consistency as a full-time starter.
For the Packers, the decision will hinge on performance and market dynamics as free agency approaches. If Willis continues to develop and command interest, Green Bay may need to invest at a level that aligns with the evolving quarterback market. The next contract will not only define his earning power but also signal how firmly the organization believes in his trajectory as a cornerstone piece moving forward.
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