Green Bay Packers: Where Does Malik Willis Rank Among the NFL’s Backup QBs in 2025?

Is Malik Willis One of the League’s Best Backup QBs?

Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis was a revelation last season when filling in for Jordan Love, winning both starts and helping the team more than stay afloat during their franchise player’s absence. Averaging 162 yards passing per game, Willis had a total of 3 touchdowns, one of which was a rushing touchdown, and 0 turnovers. Overall, Willis was not quite spectacular, but certainly a strong and solid performer.

While head coach Matt LaFleur certainly deserves plenty of credit for helping Willis be successful, the former Liberty Flames QB showed that he still has plenty to offer professional squads. While he was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft, many thought he would be a first-round pick, which indicates his talent.

In the modern NFL, where backup QBs matter more than ever, where does Willis rank among the league’s best backup signal-callers?

Malik Willis Ranks in the Top 10 Best Backup QBs, According to SI

Sports Illustrated recently put Willis just inside the top 10, clocking in at 9th.

“There was nothing special about Willis’s two starts with the Packers last season, but he showed strong command of the offense and did enough to win both games while Jordan Love recovered from a knee injury. Willis has come a long way since his disastrous performances with the Titans. “

SI’s Gilberto Manzano also acknowledged that Willis had a good situation, with the pleasure of playing alongside an elite running back in Josh Jacobs and the high-end play-calling from LaFleur. Nonetheless, given the amount of physical talent and recent growth, its hard to argue Willis is not one of the better backups in the NFL.

Although Willis only has 5 starts to his name, he is now entering his fourth year in the NFL and figures to be a much more steady player than he was as a developing prospect on the Tennessee Titans. While it is true that Willis was in a truly good situation when filling in for Love last season, he was able to make the most of it and help be the reason the Packers prevailed in both starts.

Ahead of Willis on SI’s list were several much more veteran QBs, including Marcus Mariota, Andy Dalton, Daniel Jones, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Kirk Cousins, who ranked first on the list. Newest Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Howell, acquired via trade from the Seattle Seahawks, was on the list in 11th.