Packers Rally Around Malik Willis’ Humility, Leadership

NASHVILLE — As Malik Willis walked off the field at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, the thought at the top of his mind was who in the stands would receive his towel and hat.

In a matchup meeting all the criteria for a “revenge game,” Willis was not worried about any other factors on Sunday as he led the Green Bay Packers to a 30-14 win over the Tennessee Titans, who had traded him away less than a month ago.

“It don’t make no difference to me,” Willis said when asked if he had any extra emotions in his return to Nashville. “I like to play football. ‘Are we playing football out there? That’s cool.’ That’s it.”

The Packers have rallied around Willis, acquired by the team just 27 days prior to the Week 3 win. Not because of the default leadership that comes with the quarterback position, but because of his humility and work ethic that have led to results.

"I just cannot articulate the job that he’s done in this short period of time," coach Matt LaFleur said. "People can’t fathom it. 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."

Packers safety Xavier McKinney knows Willis better than anyone else in the locker room. The two played together Roswell High School in Georgia. He and the quarterback grew through challenges together en route to a season that ended in a loss in the state championship.

"I love seeing him be successful," McKinney said. "I tell him every game like, ‘We with you to the wheels fall off. I'm with you to the wheels fall off.’ That's what it is. We got a special bond, man. He always going to be my guy outside of just the football part of it."

Similar to McKinney, wide receiver Christian Watson had respect for Willis before the two became teammates. Watson remembers admiring Willis' approach when their paths crossed at the Reese's Senior Bowl before the 2022 draft.

"I seen how he was approaching the Senior Bowl," Watson said. "I knew that he had that 'dawg' mentality. ... Just the way that he came in and approached meetings and practices. I knew exactly what he was going to be about."