The Green Bay Packers are in search of a new quarterback after Jordan Love backup Malik Willis landed a lucrative contract with the Miami Dolphins.
After throwing just 155 passes in the NFL, Willis is now primed to become the Dolphins starting quarterback. When asked what’s different this time around, the former Tennessee Titans third-round pick admitted he wasn’t prepared for start when he did.
"I don't think I put a timeline on it," Willis said, via Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. "It happened when I was prepared. I think when I came into the league I wasn't prepared. That's not a knock towards my coaches or myself, that's just what it was coming from the system I came from.”
“I've had a chance to learn the last four years since I've been in the league - been through four different offenses, seen a bunch of different defenses and think I've grown a lot. Grateful for the opportunity once again,” he added.
With Willis gone, the Packers are in need of a new quarterback and ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has just the guy.
Barnwell believes the Packers could target veteran quarterback and longtime starter Kirk Cousins as the primary backup for Love, who has missed time with injuries in each of the past two seasons.
“The Packers need a backup quarterback after losing Malik Willis to the Dolphins in free agency. They run play-action at one of the highest rates in the league under Matt LaFleur,” he said.
“Jordan Love has missed two games to injury in each of the past two years, so the Packers have to be conscious of their need to have a backup they trust if Love can’t go. While LaFleur might try to find value with another prospect in the same way the Packers once did when they traded for Willis, Cousins would be a solid option as the backup behind Love in 2026.”
The Packers could certainly do worse than Cousins, who has completed nearly 67% of his passes during his lengthy career.
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