The Green Bay Packers were unhappy with the preseason performances of Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt, so they took alternative measures to find their backup quarterback. Green Bay traded a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for Malik Willis on Monday.
Willis is projected to be the third quarterback on Tennessee’s roster and has a chance to be the first option in Green Bay if Jordan Love gets injured.

Willis, a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, has appeared in 11 games over his first two seasons, including three starts. He has completed 53% of his passing attempts for 350 yards and has yet to throw an NFL touchdown pass. He has shown some mobility, though, with 144 yards and a touchdown.

Willis is still only 25, but he still has plenty of time to develop behind Love. Given his overall talent, athleticism and potential, the Packers likely believe he has a higher ceiling than Clifford and Pratt. Willis also offers more stability as a backup.

To dig deeper into what the Packers saw in Willis, we watch some video footage from his first two seasons and preparation for the 2024 season.

Let’s get started.

All three of Willis’ starts came in his rookie season, with the Titans running a very simplified offense. He did, however, get to show off his running ability, catching his first career rushing touchdown against the Houston Texans. Willis runs the read option and even breaks a tackle before using his speed and toughness to find the end zone.

There are concerns about his processing and decision-making. In the clip below, the Texans quickly pressure Willis. Forced into a hasty throw, he misses the linebacker and throws an interception. Taking care of the football is a top priority for NFL quarterbacks, and Willis is still learning that.

Given time, he is capable of making good decisions. On this next play, he makes the right read and hits the tight end running an out, but the pass is low. Better placement might have allowed the tight end to rotate forward and gain more yards. Accuracy is another area where Willis needs to be more consistent.

Getting Willis moving is a recipe for success. It allows him to read half the field, which leads to better decisions. The potential is clearly there.

This next clip is from this year’s pre-season. Willis looks a little bouncy, but he navigates the pocket well and goes through his progressions before making a throw. It’s a nice, tight spiral, but unfortunately he misses the intended target. The process looks good; he just needs to throw a better pass.

The Packers likely underlined and circled this next play when evaluating Willis. This throw illustrates his arm strength/talent and why he’s a good project for your QB room. It’s an absolute dart into a tight window where only his receiver can catch him.

Willis rushed for over 2,000 yards in college. When you see plays like this, it’s easy to see why. Even when the edge tries to limit the option, Willis is fast enough to turn the corner and make a big gain.

You can see a definite growth in Willis’ processing. He makes multiple reads in the clip below before he passes the ball to his running back. He seems to be much more comfortable in Year 3.

This is a great example of Willis delivering an accurate pass under pressure. Notice his footwork in the pocket and how he places this ball on the inside shoulder of his receiver, away from the defender.

Despite his maturation, Willis can still be a little overzealous at times, like on this layered throw. He clearly has some elite arm talent, but this is a dangerous decision for which he ultimately pays the price. He could have been better off extending the play and waiting for someone to get free. Even throwing away would have been better. There was no need to rush, as he was also operating from a clean pocket.

Let’s end on a high note. Willis has a strong arm and he showed it off in the final preseason game. The receiver wins on his fade from the slot and Willis throws a nice ball right into his pocket. You could say it’s a little underthrow, but you can’t argue with the result.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Green Bay acquired a third-round prospect for a seventh-round pick and significantly bolstered their quarterback depth. Willis is a legitimate dual-threat QB with a big arm and ample room to grow. While his processing and accuracy need refining, his athleticism and potential offer a clear upgrade over Clifford and Pratt. It will be interesting to see how quarterbacks coach Tom Clements can develop Willis, especially after his recent success with Jordan Love.