It's not an exaggeration to say the Green Bay Packers would be in trouble without Malik Willis.
When the Packers hosted the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2, they were 0-1 and forced to start a quarterback who hadn't even been on the team for three weeks. Meanwhile, Jordan Love faced multiple games on the sideline. Willis proved that the offense could still find success without Love and helped the team go 2-0 in his two starts.
Last week, with the Packers trailing the Jacksonville Jaguars and Love forced out of the game with a groin injury, in stepped Willis. This time, he had to make something happen without the benefit of a week of first-team reps. No problem. Willis completed four of five passes for 56 yards and a touchdown while adding 23 yards on the ground.
Willis led a game-winning drive. He did it again.
To steal a phrase from Cody Rhodes, Willis went from undesirable to undeniable. The Tennessee Titans didn't deem him good enough to win their backup job in the summer. Now, they are in a quarterback mess while Willis is thriving in Green Bay.
Having completed 74.4 percent of his passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 137 yards and a score, it would be understandable if Willis had one eye on the future. He is bound to get an opportunity with a team searching for a quarterback in the offseason.
Malik Willis is focused on the present, not his Packers future
With Love questionable for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, the Packers may need Willis again. He was asked whether he views his opportunities in Green Bay as an audition for other teams and is thinking about his long-term future.
"Not really. We've still got a lot of games left in this season. We've got a game next week against a really good opponent. I feel like that's what we've got to focus on right now. Anything more than that is pride," said Willis. "I'm just enjoying the ride and taking it one game at a time, one week at a time, one day at a time. That's it."
It's hard not to come away impressed any time Willis speaks. He is always calm and has a good perspective. He showed no signs of bitterness when the Packers played the Titans only weeks after getting traded. Even now, when things couldn't have gone any better for him, Willis provided a classy answer about his future.
In reality, trade opportunities could come up for Willis in the offseason, potentially leaving the Packers in a difficult situation. They would undoubtedly love to keep him.
But Willis isn't concerned about that. He is focused on potentially starting against the Lions this week, which is the Packers' toughest test of the season so far.
And if we've learned anything from his performances to this point, don't write him off.
