Whispers from the combine point to Malik Willis landing with a specific NFC team, potentially signing a massive deal.
We know that Malik Willis is essentially a lock to leave the Green Bay Packers. He's going to be a free agent when the clock strikes 4:00 PM ET on March 11, and there's a realistic chance he's going to get paid a ton of money to be the starting quarterback somewhere.
Willis has earned this opportunity based on his play as Jordan Love's backup over the past two seasons, so the Packers or their fans certainly won't begrudge Willis seeing what he can get on the open market.
There are several NFL franchises in desperate need of a quarterback like Willis, who very well could be a franchise quarterback.
Teams that are being tied to Willis include the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and even the Minnesota Vikings.
NBC Sports reporter Matthew Berry believes one of the above teams is as close to a lock as it can get, though. He was at the 2026 NFL Combine looking for scoops, and the scuttlebutt surrounding Willis is that the Cardinals are going to make a run at him.
"Speaking of Arizona, I heard they want Malik Willis," Berry wrote. "Said one source to me 'Malik Willis to Arizona for $30M – mark it.' We will see if that number ends up being right – I know ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler specifically wrote that he sees Willis more in the Justin Fields last year $20M/yr range. So we will see on the money. But I do think Arizona should be the betting favorite to land Willis."
Interestingly, the Cardinals just hired Mike LaFleur as their new head coach. He's the younger brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
Sure, they're different people, different play-callers and different coaches, but if Willis looked like a potential star under Matt LaFleur's guidance, there's a chance Mike LaFleur will be able to pick up where his brother left off.
Feb 3, 2026; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur (left) and brother and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur at an introductory press conference at the Cardinals training facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.At the very least, you'd imagine the older LaFleur would share some tips for unlocking Willis' full potential.
Arizona would be an interesting fit for Willis, without a doubt. The Cardinals play indoors, which would favor an elite athlete like Willis. They're also planning on moving on from Kyler Murray, who had his fair share of personality issues in Arizona. Willis will bring none of that to the table. He's a true team player.
The Packers will hate to see him go, but the fit in Arizona would make a ton of sense.