Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis Faces a Critical Season Ahead

Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis faces a critical season in 2025. The Liberty star will be entering his fourth NFL season and the final year of his entry level contract. How he performs this year may go a long way to determining the future trajectory of his NFL career. It could also be critical to the Packers success just like it was a year ago.

Packers QB Malik Willis Faces a Critical Season: His Career So Far

The Tennessee Titans selected Willis in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Because of the Titans poor quarterback situation, Willis was thrust into action early. He ended up starting three games as a rookie despite the fact that he was not truly ready.

Willis always had good speed and athleticism and a strong arm. However, he needed work at reading defenses and being more consistent with his passes.

The following year, the Titans selected Will Levis with the first pick in the second round of the draft. Willis barely saw the field in 2023. He threw a total of just five passes in three games. After the 2024 preseason, the Titans traded him to the Packers who were looking for backup quarterback help.

His First Season in Green Bay

Willis was acquired after the preseason ended so he didn’t have much of an opportunity to learn the Packers offense or to practice with his teammates. He was thrust into action almost immediately. In the closing minute of Week 1 in Brazil, starting quarterback Jordan Love suffered a knee injury. Willis found out he would be the starter in Week 2 against the Colts.

Willis started both Weeks 2 and 3 before Love was able to return to the lineup. He led the Packers to wins in both games, completing 25-of-33 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns. He did not throw an interception. He also ran the ball 12 times for 124 yards and a touchdown.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was impressed with how quickly Willis was ready to start for the Packers. “I just cannot articulate the job that he’s done in a short period of time, LaFleur told reporters after his second start last season. “People can’t fathom that. I promise you, you guys don’t get it. I know you think you got it, but you don’t get it. What he’s been able to do, I’ve never seen something like this.”

Perhaps LaFleur summed it up best when he said, “It’s been pretty damn impressive. Impressive is the word.”

For the season, Willis won both games he started and came off the bench later in the season to lead the Packers to a win over the Jaguars in the fourth quarter. He finished the season by completing 40-of-54 passes for 550 yards and three touchdowns. He did not throw an interception and had a quarterback rating of 124.8.

Packers QB Malik Willis Faces a Critical Season: Looking Ahead

Willis will be a free agent after the 2025 season unless the Packers opt to sign him to a new contract. Barring injury, Love will be the starting quarterback in 2025, but it’s always possible Willis will see action at some point in 2025 just like he did last season.

The Packers did not draft a quarterback this season. But they did sign Canadian college star Taylor Elgersma. Scouts are high on Elgersma’s arm strength and potential. Obviously, he has a big adjustment to make from Canadian college football rules to the NFL. In Canada, there are just three downs, 12 players on the field and a player can be in motion forward before the snap of the football.

It will be likely that Elgersma spends 2025 on the practice squad. In 2026, he could be the favorite to become the backup if the Packers don’t re-sign Willis.

If Willis continues to play well in 2025, he can sign a bigger contract next offseason whether it’s in Green Bay or elsewhere. He could even get an opportunity to battle for a starting job depending on where he goes.

But for right now, Willis gives the Packers something rare in the NFL: a backup quarterback they have confidence in.