Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis is one of the hottest names on the impending free agent market this year. In his two seasons as the backup to Jordan Love, Willis impressed with a 78.7% completion percentage, 972 passing yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 134.6.
Willis is not going to return to Green Bay in 2026. Projections ahead of NFL free agency have him making $30 million a year with a team that is going to give him the opportunity to start.
But exactly what team that will be remains to be determined.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis linked to the New York Jets
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) runs for a gain against the Chicago Bears in the second quarter during their football game Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.
For weeks, many have speculated that Willis could end up with the Miami Dolphins. With Jon Eric-Sullivan as general manager and Jeff Hafley as head coach (both former Packers employees), Miami has the strongest ties to Willis.
But they are not the only quarterback-needy team in the NFL. Additionally, they need to figure out a way to get out of Tua Tagovailoa’s $50+ million a year contract.
With the Dolphins in a complicated quarterback situation, the New York Jets were named by ESPN as another possible landing spot for the Packers backup quarterback:
“Yes, it was a small sample with justone startand four total games played, but Willis had a phenomenal 93.1 QBR for the Packers in 2025. And he had an impressive 77.3 QBR in two starts the season before.
Willis is going to sign somewhere to start, and the Jets need a new quarterback.Justin Fieldsdidn’t work out, andFernando Mendozaseems to be the only QB prospect worthy of the first-round pick in April. It’s unlikely Mendoza will fall past Las Vegas atNo. 1.”
New York is going to move on from former Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields this off-season. As such, they will be in the market for a new starter.
With the NFL Draft short on sure-fire quarterback prospects, they could sign Willis in free agency and use their number two overall pick on another position of need.
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