We've seen a bunch of different numbers thrown around when it comes to contract projections for Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis.
Projections have ranged from a Justin Fields-type deal, which is two years and $40 million, to upwards of $71 million on a two-year deal.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer believes Willis will get somewhere in the middle. He speculates that Willis will ultimately get a two-year, $50 million contract, with $35 million guaranteed.
"How much will free agent QB Malik Willis make? I think he gets a little more than Justin Fields did last March. So my guess would be a contract for two years, $50 million, with $35 million guaranteed," Breer said. "But I’d say there are several possible outcomes, and the availability of all the other quarterbacks will impact Willis, who’s a great story."
This tracks with a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, who said that it's unlikely that Willis will surpass $30 million annually and will be closer to Fields' deal. Fowler offered a range of $20-25 million annually for the Liberty product.
"Willis' market has been a prominent topic this week. But a team offering him $30-plus million per year doesn't appear realistic. Many front offices believe the more accurate comp is Justin Fields' deal with the Jets last year (two years, $40 million)," Fowler said. "Could that jump up due to cap inflation and/or multiple suitors? Sure. A range of $20-25 million annually is certainly a good starting point. But Willis hitting the $30 million threshold as a player with six career starts would surprise some of the teams at the combine."
The two teams most connected to the Packers backup are the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals, which makes sense with both franchises set to part ways with veteran quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray.
Fowler reported that a source told him Miami is "definitely in" on Willis in free agency, something that comes as no surprise given Willis' connections with head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, both of whom were in Green Bay with Willis.
Meanwhile, both NBC Sports' Matthew Berry and Essentially Sports' Tony Pauline reported that the Cardinals are viewed as the most likely landing spot for Willis.
Willis' contract projection coming down from that $60-$70 million range is particularly great news for the Dolphins, who have a shade under $1 million in cap space. The Cardinals, on the other hand, are in better shape with $31.6 million.
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