Green Bay Packers Must Trade for Former First Round Pick To Replace Malik Willis

Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers front office pulled off a great trade in 2024, acquiring quarterback Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans for a 7th round pick.

Willis went on to be an elite backup quarterback for Green Bay over the last two seasons. 

In 2024, he filled in for Jordan Love when he went down with an injury. Willis completed 40 of 54 passes (74.1 percent) for 550 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown. 

Willis won both games he started in that season and led a game-winning drive in a third, in a contest Love had to exit early.

He was productive again in 2025, filling in for Love and completing 30 of 35 passes (85.7 percent) for 422 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Willis added 123 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Willis is now entering free agency and will leave Green Bay for an opportunity to start elsewhere. That leaves the Packers with a need at their backup quarterback position.

Another young quarterback that Gutekunst could take a chance on is Anthony Richardson.

Richardson lost his starting job with the Colts after a few disappointing seasons. The fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has shown flashes of his mobility and deep-ball ability, but has struggled to be consistent and stay healthy.

Richardson started in 11 games in the 2024 season, completing 47.7 percent of his passes for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 499 yards and six touchdowns.

While Richardson has struggled to be a consistent passer, the potential is there with his rushing ability and a strong arm.

When the Packers traded for Willis, he had struggled with accuracy in his time with the Titans, but he developed into an accurate passer in Green Bay.

Head coach Matt LaFleur could help unlock Richardson in the same way. His skill set is valuable to Green Bay, as having a backup quarterback who can run the ball and connect on deep passes is hard for defenses to adjust to.

While the Packers have plenty of other pressing needs, acquiring a backup quarterback like Richardson could be valuable if Love goes down at any point in the 2026 season.

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