Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis has been hit with a tough reality check heading into NFL free agency.
The Green Bay Packers will certainly not be re-signing quarterback Malik Willis, who flashed some serious potential in relief of Jordan Love this past season.
Willis is slated to hit free agency next week and is expected to have a host of suitors pursuing him, and recently, it was stated that the 26-year-old could ultimately land a contract worth in excess of $30 million annually.
That sounded like a whole lot at the time, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has now revealed that Willis probably won't be getting that type of money.
"Willis' market has been a prominent topic this week. But a team offering him $30-plus million per year doesn't appear realistic," Fowler wrote. "Many front offices believe the more accurate comp is Justin Fields' deal with the Jets last year (two years, $40 million)."
Willis made four appearances and one start in 2025, completing 30 of his 35 passes while throwing for 422 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 123 yards and a couple of scores.
Malik Willis. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images."Could that jump up due to cap inflation and/or multiple suitors? Sure. A range of $20-25 million annually is certainly a good starting point. But Willis hitting the $30 million threshold as a player with six career starts would surprise some of the teams at the combine," Fowler added.
It's also important to remember that Willis received some playing time with the Packers in 2024, as well, going 40-for-54 with 550 yards and three touchdowns while registering 138 yards and a score on the ground in a couple of starts.
The Liberty product was originally selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons with the Titans, going 35-for-66 with 350 yards and three interceptions in limited playing time.
Because Willis still has such a small sample size of production, teams will have to be careful handing him a lucrative long-term deal in free agency. But with so many quarterback-needy clubs out there, Willis might land a contract that raises eyebrows.
Fowler added that the Miami Dolphins are "definitely in" on Willis and that at least two teams will be pursuing him once free agency begins.
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