The Green Bay Packers are going to see several high-profile names on their roster sign elsewhere in free agency. When the new NFL year begins in March, players no longer under contract will be free to sign with any team that they like. The good news for the Packers, though, that if these high-profile players sign lucrative contracts, Green Bay will be awarded high compensation picks in the NFL Draft.
Perhaps the hottest name among soon-to-be former Packers players out there is quarterback Malik Willis. He impressed mightily in his two seasons as the backup to Jordan Love, and is widely expected to sign with a team that will give him a chance to start. What is more, he is expected to make $30 million annually on his next contract.
And as the days/weeks go by, many believe he will end up playing for a familiar face.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis predicted to sign with the Miami Dolphins
Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) looks to pass against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin/Imagn Images
The Miami Dolphins fired both their general manager and head coach after the 2025 NFL season. They hired former Packers executive Jon Eric-Sullivan as their new GM and former Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as their head coach.
For weeks, many have felt that Miami is a likely destination for Willis, even though Tua Tagovailoa is still under contract there. The Dolphins, though, are believed to be attempting to move him.
In a recent article in which they named the best free agent fit for every team, Bleacher Report, once again, suggested Willis to the Dolphins:
“This just feels like one of the most no-brainer pairings in the league right now. The Dolphins are a mystery at quarterback, Malik Willis is one of the most intriguing backups in the league, and new head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan are coming from Green Bay.
“Willis has completed 78.7 percent of his passes with six touchdowns to no interceptions in his limited time as the Packers backup quarterback. It’s a small sample size, but finding out what he has is a lot more exciting than watching Tua Tagovailoa or Quinn Ewers at this point.”
There will be, of course, other teams interested in Willis. The Arizona Cardinals are in a near identical situation as Miami, with new leadership and an expensive quarterback they want to move on from. It should be noted that their head coach is Mike LaFleur, the brother of Matt LaFleur, and their offensive coordinator is Nathaniel Hackett.
Aside from the Cardinals and Dolphins, the Minnesota Vikings may be interested in Willis as JJ McCarthy looked terrible in his first year as a starter.
Whoever signs him, though, is going to be paying him a lot of money. Wherever he goes, Willis is going to be starting.
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