By now, Green Bay Packers fans have come to grips with Malik Willis' looming departure. He's transformed into arguably the NFL's best backup quarterback and has shown enough to earn an opportunity to run his own show in 2026.
Willis has earned the approval of two legendary signal-callers across a seven-day span. First, it was football royalty Tom Brady. Then, New York Giants icon Phil Simms heaped credit where due.
Green Bay's effectiveness with Willis under center has reached a point where folks are wondering whether he's the superior option to their franchise centerpiece, Jordan Love. Head coach Matt LaFleur has vehemently pushed back on that notion. However, Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed didn't mince words when expressing his confidence in the club's "No. 2" passer.
Jayden Reed drives up Malik Willis' price tag ahead of free agency with immense praise
Slowly but surely, Willis is turning everyone into a believer with his excellent on-field efforts. The Packers' offense operates just as well whenever they call on him to replace Love, which Reed evidently recognizes:
"I feel like whenever [Willis] in, man, it's no drop off [from Love]," Reed said (h/t Matt Schneidman of The Athletic [$]). "He comes in and he makes the plays that need to be made."
If two players are so similar, shouldn't they be paid as such? Of course, it's not that simple, nor is it to say that Willis will come anywhere close to Love's $55 million average annual value. Nevertheless, Reed's comments at least make you wonder whether that should be the case.
Paying Willis is already a difficult proposition for the Packers, considering their commitment to Love. The former's ostensibly increasing market rate only further complicates matters, all but ensuring his time in Green Bay is running out. Reed may have exacerbated the issue by giving rival executives something to think about.
Someone will take a chance on Willis this coming offseason. He looks the part of a starter and is slated for unrestricted free agency, positioning himself for an opportunity elsewhere (and a significant raise). His legend in Green Bay has grown with each appearance, illustrated by a milestone that hadn't been reached by a Packer in over three decades.
Nevertheless, the more money Willis secures from another team in his next deal, the better 2027 compensatory draft pick the Packers will get. So, in that sense, Reed may be doing them a favor.