Malik Willis
Getty
Packers' quarterback Malik Willis has recently been ranked the No. 1 free agent across the NFL
The Green Bay Packers have been surprisingly active to begin the offseason, as they have worked on rebuilding their coaching staff in the wake of another disappointing playoff exit. The fun has only just begun, though, as the Packers have some work to do when it comes to their roster ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The first order of business for Green Bay’s front office will involve figuring out which of its own free agents it wants to keep in town. One of the more intriguing free agents this offseason is Packers’ backup quarterback Malik Willis, and it appears likely he will leave the Packers after he was recently ranked the top available free agent this offseason.
NFL.com Ranks Malik Willis as No. 1 Free Agent this Offseason
Willis was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, but he didn’t get much of an opportunity to earn the starting job during his two seasons in town. Ahead of the 2024 campaign, the Titans flipped Willis to the Packers in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick, and since then, he’s operated as Jordan Love’s backup.
It didn’t take long for Willis to find himself under center, as Love struggled with injuries in 2024. In total, Willis has played 11 games over the past two seasons for Green Bay, and he’s generally looked solid during his time on the field. During that stretch, Willis has completed 70 of his 89 pass attempts for 972 yards and six touchdowns, while also rushing for 261 yards and three more scores on the ground.
It’s a small sample size, but Willis has looked like a starting-caliber quarterback during his time with the Packers. As a result, he’s expected to draw interest from several different teams across the league in free agency, and if you ask Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, he believes Willis is the top available free agent across the league this offseason.
“I see him as the most dynamic quarterback in football as a runner, and his tape in Green Bay showed incredible growth as a passer over his two years with Matt LaFleur,” Rosenthal wrote. “Despite his limited sample size, Willis jumped to the top spot of this ranking based on the same logic that applies to the NFL draft: If a potential franchise quarterback is good enough to be ranked in the top five of a list like this, then he should be placed first, by virtue of the position.”
Should the Packers Re-Sign Malik Willis?
Malik Willis
GettyGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 27: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field on December 27, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Packers would obviously love to keep Willis around as Love’s backup, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen. Willis has proven himself as being more than a backup quarterback, and he will almost certainly sign with a team that will at least offer him a shot to compete for a starting job. With Love entrenched as Green Bay’s starter, it makes no sense to pursue Willis this offseason.
Losing Willis for nothing will hurt, but the Packers managed to revive his career, while also receiving strong play from him when Love was unable to play over the past two seasons. Green Bay will have to look for a new backup quarterback elsewhere, though, because it’s clear there is virtually no shot he returns to the team this offseason.