Malik Willis Green Bay Packers quarterback
Getty
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 27: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers scores a touchdown 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 Green Bay Packers are set to have a free agency period that could heavily impact their near draft future.
Players like quarterback Malik Willis and left tackle Rasheed Walker are both projected to sign big free agent contracts in excess of $20 million/per year, per multiple cap aggregator sites like Over the Cap and Spotrac, whilst wide receiver Romeo Doubs and Quay Walker are also set to be free agents that could sign deals upwards of $10 million per year.
This would leave Green Bay with something approaching two third round, a fourth and a fifth rounder in compensatory picks in 2026, giving a huge boon to the Packers’ 2027 draft pick selection, particularly in light of the fact that they will not have a first round pick until April 2028 after trading back-to-back #1s to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for edge rusher Micah Parsons.
Certainly with regard to Willis that number could be far higher than many expected, as NFL.com ranked him as their #1 free agent of the 2026 class.
Orlovsky Claims Vindication After QB Ranked #1 Free Agent
NFL analyst and former quarterback, Dan Orlovsky had some gloating to do in light of this ranking – and took to X to vindicate his former opinion that Willis would receive $40-50 million this coming March.
“Got laughed at when I said 40-50 million months ago…” Orlovsky posted on X, replying to a post screenshotting Willis’ ranking as the #1 free agent.
Gregg Rosenthal compiled the original NFL.com list, and believes that Willis’ improvement as a passer and legitimate dual-threat ability makes him a quarterback with a sky-high ceiling in the NFL.
“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 on Monday. “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. The ceiling is the roof.”
How Much Will Malik Willis Be Paid This Offseason?
At this point no one quite has an answer to this question, but estimates vary substantially. Orlovsky is clearly sticking to his answer of $40-50 million, which is implied to mean his average annual salary, but could also be the amount of guaranteed money Orlovsky expects him to receive.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport suggested the number may be closer to $30-35 million per year, a valuation that is echoed by Spotrac; and in theory this makes a bit more sense as it aligns more-or-less with Sam Darnold’s three year $100 million deal.
Darnold had more starting experience and had accomplished far more than Willis had prior to his last deal, which has worked out pretty well for all involved, but Willis would appear to have a far higher ceiling if he replicate some of the performances he showed against the Bears and the Ravens this past season in place of the injured Jordan Love.
$40-50 million might be a stretch, but it seems that Willis will not come cheap to any team this offseason.