The Green Bay Packers traded a seventh-round pick for Malik Willis a year ago. It should take significantly more for the Packers to even entertain offers from other teams.
Quarterback injuries have hit the league in Week 2, most notably with Cincinnati Bengals starter Joe Burrow, who will reportedly miss three months — including a game against the Packers at Lambeau in Week 6.
The 2-0 Bengals need a quarterback to steady the ship until Burrow can return. Backup Jake Browning, who threw two touchdowns and three interceptions off the bench, likely isn't the answer.
According to Easton Butler of Packer Report, the Bengals offered the Packers a sixth-round pick for Willis. That seems highly unlikely to get a deal done. Why would they even entertain that? But what would it take?
Packers need to set a high asking price before considering a Malik Willis trade
The Packers don't need to trade Malik Willis. It would require an offer they can't refuse.
This team is all-in to win now. They traded two future first-round picks for Micah Parsons and then made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. Yeah, they're not quietly planning for the future. The Packers showed the urgency Brian Gutekunst spoke about and pushed their chips to the center of the table.
That all-in philosophy doesn't include trading Willis, who is among the league's best backup quarterbacks. He saved Green Bay's 2024 season, going 2-0 in starts before coming off the bench to win a game late against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He contributed significantly to three wins — Green Bay's 11-6 record was just enough for the No. 7 seed.
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Gutekunst shouldn't listen to any offer for a Day 3 pick, even a fourth-rounder. Sure, Willis is a free agent next offseason and will likely depart. However, given the Packers' salary cap limitations and Willis' potential to start elsewhere, he could net the team a 2027 compensatory draft pick when he leaves.
Unless a team is willing to part ways with a Day 2 draft pick, the Packers shouldn't even listen.
Yes, it's a high price, but remember, Green Bay doesn't need to trade him. If anything, it could hurt its championship aspirations in an all-in year. A sixth-rounder? No chance.
No team will likely want to part ways with a premium pick, especially if Willis would only provide short-term cover. But the Packers don't need to make a deal, and if they do, it needs to be one they can't refuse.