Green Bay Packers Acquire Malik Willis as Backup Quarterback

In a strategic move ahead of the regular season, the Green Bay Packers have acquired quarterback Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur hinted after the team’s preseason finale that a backup quarterback might be sourced from outside the current roster. Subsequently, the decision was made to bring in Willis, who is expected to serve as the backup to starter Jordan Love this season.

This transfer follows a summer-long competition between two current Packers quarterbacks, Sean Clifford and Alex Pratt, to secure the backup position. Although both players showcased their abilities during training camp, neither emerged as a strong contender to permanently back up Love. After the preseason finale, LaFleur remarked, «We’ll see» in response to the quality of options behind Love.

Willis demonstrated notable performance during the preseason, completing 20 of 27 passes for a passer rating of 104.7, which helped him outperform other contenders for the backup position in Tennessee. Despite his solid preseason, Willis was ultimately edged out by another quarterback in Nashville, leading to his availability for trade.

As the Packers navigate their roster decisions, they may retain either Clifford or Pratt, at least temporarily, to aid in Willis’s transition into the team’s offensive system. Notably, Green Bay has placed a significant investment in Love, having signed him to a four-year, $220 million contract earlier this summer.