Nobody saw the Malik Willis trade coming after the preseason. The Green Bay Packers knew they needed to upgrade the backup quarterback position after Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt had failed to impress throughout the summer, so they made a move.
The Packers sent a seventh-rounder to the Tennessee Titans for Willis, and it proved to be a genius decision.
Willis helped the Packers win three games, including two starts, while the Titans realized they had let their best quarterback leave. It led them to draft Cam Ward with the first overall selection on Thursday night.
In Green Bay, Willis completed 40 of 54 passes for 550 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown. The Packers might've missed the playoffs if they had stuck with Clifford or Pratt as their backup quarterback — that's how important Willis was.
Now, the full trade details have been finalized.
Packers-Titans Malik Willis trade is finally finalized during 2025 NFL Draft
The Titans traded the Packers' pick in a deal with the Dallas Cowboys — Dallas sent a sixth-rounder to Tennessee for a seventh and running back Kenneth Murray. The Titans used that pick on Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, while the Cowboys also added another running back, Clemson's Phil Mafah.
Here are the full details:
Packers receive
- QB Malik Willis
Titans receive
- RB Kalel Mullings, Michigan
Cowboys receive
- RB Phil Mafah, Clemson
- RB Kenneth Murray
It's fair to say the Packers won this trade, and it's not even close. Willis significantly upgraded the backup quarterback position and proved the Packers could win games without Jordan Love. Ironically, that included a victory over the Titans.
Willis still has a year remaining on his contract, and the Packers can feel confident if he has to step in at any point.
The Titans got their franchise quarterback in the end with Ward, but trading Willis proved to be a mistake.