This season, Malik Willis was not able to secure a spot as the backup quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. The former Auburn star might start at quarterback for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
As Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur stated on Monday, that is the team’s game plan in the event that starting quarterback Jordan Love isn’t ready to play against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Why Did Malik Willis, Who Was Injured in Love, Instead of Sean Clifford?Why Did Malik Willis, Who Was Injured in Love, Instead of Sean Clifford?
Green Bay traded Willis and a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Titans in exchange for Willis when Tennessee chose to use Mason Rudolph as Will Levis’ backup.
After practicing with the team for the first time on August 28, Willis knew enough of the playbook to back up Jordan Love in Green Bay’s season-opening game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil on Friday night.
Following the departure of Packers starter Jordan Love due to a knee injury, Willis was able to participate in the game for the final two plays.
There was no need to worry that Love had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament damage that would end the season. Although Love did suffer a sprained medial collateral ligament, LaFleur called this “relatively good news,” and Love’s recovery time would depend on how serious the knee injury was.
According to LaFleur, Love will not be placed on injured reserve, which would force the quarterback to miss a minimum of four games.
Regarding the Packers’ quarterback plans for Sunday, LaFleur stated, “If Jordan is not cleared, then we’ll start Malik, and Sean (Clifford) will be the backup.”
Following the acquisition of Willis, the Packers waived quarterback Michael Pratt, a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and placed Clifford, a fifth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, on the practice squad.
Regarding Willis’ comprehension of the Green Bay playbook, LaFleur remarked, “He’s put a lot of time and effort into this thing.” “He’s putting in some work. He is familiar with the jargon. We have faith in him since he was able to spit out the play calls.
“I have faith that he will perform well on the field if he has a full week of practice and preparation.”
Willis completed 20 of 27 throws for 205 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Titans’ three preseason games last month. With 101 yards on 11 carries in the preseason, Willis was Tennessee’s top rusher. On August 25, Willis helped lead the Titans to a 30-27 preseason victory over the New Orleans Saints. It was a spectacular way to round up the preseason.
Willis was chosen by the Titans from Liberty in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Over the course of two seasons, he appeared in 11 games. As a rookie, he made three starts during Ryan Tannehill’s absence due to injuries. Willis rushed for 144 yards and one touchdown on 32 carries while playing for the Titans. He completed 35 of 66 throws for 350 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions.
Willis rushed for 309 yards and two touchdowns on 28 rushes in 2017 and 2018 while serving as Jarrett Stidham’s backup at Auburn. He also completed 11 of 14 throws for 69 yards with one score and no interceptions. Willis rushed for 1,822 yards and 27 touchdowns on 338 carries during his two seasons at Liberty. He also completed 377 of 604 passes for 5,107 yards with 47 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
On Sunday, the Packers take on the Colts at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at 12:00 CDT.
Leave a Reply