While we continue to await more news on Love’s injury, here are five short facts about Green Bay’s other quarterback.
Malik Willis’ regular-season debut for the Green Bay Packers came earlier than just about anybody expected. The quarterback entered in the closing seconds of Friday night’s Week 1 showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles after starting quarterback Jordan Love reportedly injured his MCL and likely to miss 3-6 weeks.
Willis will start in Green Bay’s Week 2 game against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Fox Sports, however The Athletic is reporting that the team has reached out to veteran quarterback (and Willis’ former colleague) Ryan Tannehill.
Willis was unable to lead the Packers to victory on Friday night, as Green Bay was on the wrong side of a 34-29 final score, but he’ll have another shot next week.
While we continue to await more news on Love’s injury, here are five short facts about Green Bay’s other quarterback.
Willis has been with the team for just a couple of weeks. On Aug. 26, he was traded from the Titans to the Packers for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Willis became the odd man out in Nashville as the Titans opted to go with former Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph as Will Levis’ primary backup.
During the preseason with the Titans, Willis went 20 of 27 (a 74.1 completion percentage) for 205 yards with two touchdowns and a pick. While those figures were identical to the ones Rudolph and Levis compiled, his five sacks stood out as Rudolph was sacked just once and Levis was not sacked. Willis did led the Titans in rushing 101 yards on 11 carries that included a 28-yard run. Willis has been with the team for just a couple of weeks. On Aug. 26, he was traded from the Titans to the Packers for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Willis became the odd man out in Nashville as the Titans opted to go with former Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph as Will Levis’ primary backup.
During the preseason with the Titans, Willis went 20 of 27 (a 74.1 completion percentage) for 205 yards with two touchdowns and a pick. While those figures were identical to the ones Rudolph and Levis compiled, his five sacks stood out as Rudolph was sacked just once and Levis was not sacked. Willis did led the Titans in rushing 101 yards on 11 carries that included a 28-yard run. Willis primarily found himself on the bench during his final year with the Titans, as he spent the year as Levis’ backup. He appeared in just three games, and his only pass attempts took occurred during a Week 6 loss to Baltimore. Willis went 4 of 5 for 74 yards in that contest. He was sacked four times and rushed for 17 yards on three carries.
A brief rookie starter
Willis made three starts as a rookie in 2022. The Titans went 1-2 in those games as Willis battled with his accuracy. He also proceeded to take sacks at an alarming pace.
That season, Willis completed 50.8% of his throws, with no touchdowns and three picks. He was also sacked 10 times. He did have success on the ground, though, with 123 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. But that season indicated that Willis’ game required more refinement. Willis’ arrival in Nashville wasn’t welcomed with wide arms by then-Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who didn’t look overly keen to help his inexperienced colleague. While Tannehill was accurate when he said it wasn’t his responsibility to coach Willis, it’s safe to assume that Willis would have profited from having a seasoned quarterback who was more open to helping him.
Jordan Love injury update: Packers’ Malik Willis to start at quarterback in Week 2 vs. Colts, per report
