Former QB shares wild take on Packers' Malik Willis, Jordan Love

The Green Bay Packers are expected to let backup quarterback Malik Willis reach free agency after he played well for the club across a couple of games this season, as Green Bay has preferred starter Jordan Love atop the depth chart. 

During a Thursday appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show," former quarterback and current NFL analyst Chris Simms suggested that Willis may have as much potential as Love did when Green Bay made the latter a 2020 first-round draft pick. 

Is Malik Willis better than Jordan Love was years ago?

"It’s closer than I ever thought it would be," Simms said about comparing Willis to Love, per Brendon Kleen of Awful Announcing. "And I’m really a Jordan Love fan … but Malik Willis, I’m not going to say he’s better than Jordan Love right now. I will say he shows more potential to be a greater player than Jordan Love. That’s what I would say right now, but I’ve got to see a little more before I say he’s better than Jordan Love."

A 2022 third-round choice, Willis has thus far made just six career regular-season starts. That said, Pro Football Reference stats show that he completed 27-of-32 passes for 409 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions across his final two appearances with the Packers. He also rushed for 104 yards and two scores over those outings. 

Recent stories have linked Willis with the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins among possible would-be suitors. It sounds like Simms believes any team in need of a long-term answer at quarterback should invest in Willis after the new league year opens on March 11. 

Chris Simms: Malik Willis is a superstar

"I think Malik Willis is a superstar," Simms added during the segment. "I would think he is the crowning gem of guys that’s going to be out there as far as free agents you can get. Malik Willis has proven he’s got special talent. He’s got a special arm, special mobility. He knows how to run the offense and do all of that. So yeah, he’s a great story here."

Assuming at least one team agrees with Simms, Willis is about to get paid and receive more than a one-year "prove it" contract next month.