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    • Packers trade quarterback Malik Willis to serve as backup
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    Packers trade quarterback Malik Willis to serve as backup

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    GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers are starting young with their backup quarterback, but it will be Tennessee’s Malik Willis and not one of their recent draft picks.

    The Packers sent a seventh-round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans for Willis, a 2022 third-round draft pick, a source confirmed.

    ESPN was the first to report the transaction.

    Willis started three games for the Titans in two years, throwing no touchdowns and three interceptions, going 1-2 in those games. He completed 31 of 61 passes for 276 yards.

    Willis played better in pre-season this year, completing 20 of 27 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, but he couldn’t beat out Mason Rudolph for the backup position behind recent first-round pick Will Levis.

    The 6-0 1/2, 219-pound Willis isn’t your typical quarterback of choice for coach Matt LaFleur or general manager Brian Gutekunst. Unlike Love, who is 6-4 and comfortable in the pocket, Willis looks more like a Justin Fields or Jalen Hurts because of his size and rushing ability.

    Willis has a strong arm like Love, but he is more inclined to run the ball and the Packers may need to incorporate some read-option play into their scheme to get the most out of him. Willis originally went to Auburn, but transferred and spent his final two years at Liberty University.

    The Packers select Willis over 2023 fifth-round draft pick Sean Clifford and 2024 seventh-round draft pick Michael Pratt.

    Combined, the two picks led the offense to three touchdowns in 28 drives, which it won’t do in the regular season. Their individual stats weren’t as important as their ability to move the team.

    Pratt has a better arm and averages more yards per play (4.78 to 3.76) than Clifford. One of his drives ran out the clock and could have led to a score if it had happened earlier in the game, but he only got the ball into the end zone once. He was scoreless in six possessions against Denver.

    Clifford got the ball in the endzone twice and led the team to three field goals (both quarterbacks had one possession that ended in a missed field goal). Clifford was an interception machine during practice, but was intercepted only once.

    One of the two quarterbacks will likely be signed to the practice squad.

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