Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis has successfully rebuilt his image, and he’s done so by answering the call whenever the team needed him on the field as backup to starting signal-caller Jordan Love.
With Willis’ success, albeit in limited playing time with the Packers over the last two seasons, he’s becomeone of the most intriguing free-agency figures in 2026.
In fact, Willis has beenrankedas the top free agent in 2026 byGreg Rosenthal of NFL.com.
Here’s what Rosenthal wrote about the former Liberty Flames quarterback:
“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. 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.”
Packers QB Willis gets lucrative outlook in free agency from former QB
Meanwhile, former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky used that evaluation of Willis to pat himself on the back over a take he said months ago.
“Got laughed at when I said 40-50 million months ago,” said Orlovsky via a social media post on X, formerly Twitter.
Got laughed at when I said 40-50 million months ago… https://t.co/TGOr5SC1Om
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) February 23, 2026
There should be teams looking in the direction of Willis. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are some of the teams many feel would be hunting for a QB via free agency, a trade, or the draft.
In 11 appearances (three starts) with the Packers since 2024, the 26-year-old Willis has passed for 972 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions. He’s also rushed for 261 yards and three touchdowns on 42 carries.
Oct 12, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) greets quarterback Malik Willis (2) during warmups prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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