Football can be particularly challenging at this time of year. Players often face job losses, and many may not find new roles in the NFL. Trades are also complicated; even if the change eventually benefits the player, they must relocate to an unfamiliar city, adapt to a new system, and integrate with new teammates.
Quarterback Malik Willis is experiencing this firsthand. On Monday night, Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan informed him he was being traded to the Green Bay Packers. Within about 40 hours, Willis flew to Wisconsin, passed his physical, and joined the Packers. Though it’s a tough situation, Willis is focused on making the most of it.
“They (Carthon and Callahan) told me it’s all about how I choose to see it—either as a positive or a negative,” Willis said. “This is an opportunity to come in as a backup and improve every day. I didn’t expect to be traded, so it was a surprise. There’s no time to dwell on it; I need to move forward.”
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst explained the reasoning behind the trade.
“Malik is in his third year and has shown significant improvement, especially in this preseason,” Gutekunst said. “We saw a chance to bring in a player who can make plays with both his arm and his legs. We’re excited to see what he can bring.”
Willis has faced instability as a quarterback in the NFL. He worked under offensive coordinator Todd Downing in 2022, then under Tim Kelly, who became offensive coordinator in 2023. This year, with a new coaching staff, head coach Brian Callahan and offensive coordinator Nick Holz have implemented a new system.
Despite these changes, Willis is somewhat familiar with the Packers’ system. This is because Downing’s system shares similarities with what Matt LaFleur used as the Titans’ offensive coordinator in 2018. Additionally, Callahan worked with Zac Taylor, who had collaborated with LaFleur at the Los Angeles Rams in 2017.
“I think there’s definitely some overlap between what we did this year with Callahan and what we did during my rookie year in terms of terminology and system structure,” Willis said. “I’ll become more familiar with it over time.”
The Packers have kept only Jordan Love and Malik Willis on the 53-man roster, releasing Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt. Clifford has rejoined the practice squad, with a chance of being promoted to the active roster early in the season while Willis settles in. Pratt has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad.
