Wow. The Green Bay Packers decided neither Sean Clifford nor Michael Pratt was their answer at the backup quarterback position.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Packers are trading for former Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis, a third-round pick only two years ago. Green Bay is sending a 2025 seventh-rounder to Tennessee.
It's a low-risk, high-reward move for the Packers, and it answers the uncertainty at the backup quarterback position. It likely ends Clifford's time in Green Bay and also leaves Pratt's future up in the air.
General manager Brian Gutekunst has done it again. He loves a trade before the roster cut deadline, and he has made a smart decision to add a veteran quarterback.
Packers trade for quarterback Malik Willis: Full details
Packers receive:
- QB Malik Willis
Titans receive:
- 2025 7th-round pick
It's a great move for the Packers, and it's not surprising they wanted to make a quarterback change. Matt LaFleur said they would consider all options, and he meant it.
Willis was a high draft pick in 2022 but has fallen behind Will Levis and Mason Rudolph on the Titans' depth chart. He has started three career games, throwing for 276 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions.
His numbers aren't great, but the former third-round pick has the potential to become a quality backup in Green Bay. He is immediately an upgrade over Pratt and Clifford.
"Willis is the hot name at the quarterback position and has more upside than any signal-caller in this year's draft," Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline wrote in 2022. "He is an athletic player who flashes brilliance, yet he will need a lot of work on his game before he's NFL-ready."
It's a fascinating move by the Packers. Willis hasn't looked ready for the NFL when he has started, but the talent and potential is obvious.
In his final season at Liberty, Willis threw for 2,862 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while rushing for 878 yards and 13 touchdowns. He can make big plays on the ground.
Willis doesn't have to start and gets the opportunity to develop in Green Bay. This trade is a big win.
