I’ve heard plenty of people say it during last season.
And now I”m hearing people talk about it as we enter 2025.
People seem to think that Packers quarterback Malik Willis would be a great trade piece. They are thinking that if they can trade away Willis, maybe they can add more depth elsewhere.
However, there is one problem: Jordan Love had injury issues last year. On the season opener’s final drive, he sprained his MCL. Then in Week 8, he had a groin injury.
Willis stepped in and not only went 2-0 to keep the Packers’ season from going sideways. But he also completed 76 percent of his passes in both games against Indianapolis and Tennessee. Against the Colts, he only had two incompletions. He tallied passer ratings of 126.8 and 120.9 and really made the eyebrows go up on a lot of people with some very impressive tight-window throws.
To some, that is enough to leverage a trade for a potential edge rusher — something this defense has been in desperate need of. The last time a Packers defensive player tallied double-digit sacks was when Za’Darius Smith got 12.5 in 2020.
But now is not the time to get rid of Willis. He just opened a lot of people’s eyes. The 2022 third round pick just had one of the best stretches of his career. He proved to plenty of people that he can still play.
The Packers just beefed up their offensive line, but with 17 games, you have to always be prepared at the most important position in all of sports. And with two straight games to open the season against 2024 playoff teams in Detroit and Washington, the Packers need all the insurance they can get.
“I don’t think you guys can appreciate or even comprehend the task that Mailik Willis (had),” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur last season. “I mean, this guy got here three weeks ago. For him to be able to go out there and command our offense — we still had a lot of long calls.”
The 25-year-old is under contract through the 2025 season and has a minuscule cap hit of $1.4 million. Willis has a ton of value on this team by being the guy that can keep this team on track to win its first division title since 2021.
If the Packers were to trade Willis, who is going to get them a couple wins if Love goes down? Sean Clifford? Really? I don’t want Clifford to attempt two passes let alone start a couple times.
Insurance is a necessary evil. If you don’t ever use it, does that mean that it was a waste? Of course not. I still think the best way to keep Love healthy is to mix in Willis with some run-pass-option wrinkles.
So don’t just think of Willis as the classic backup quarterback. Think of him as a weapon that can be used in various types of situations.