Packers puzzling trade for Malik Willis doesn't fix backup quarterback concerns

It is completely understandable why the Green Bay Packers were unhappy with their internal options to back up starting quarterback Jordan Love.

Exploring external options is never a bad thing, but the path the Packers chose to go down to round out their depth chart was a puzzling one at best, with Green Bay sending a seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for quarterback Malik Willis.

The issue here is not the draft capital given up to acquire Willis but rather that the former third-round pick has been completely forgettable during his first two seasons in the NFL.

Willis has completed just 53 percent of his passes for 350 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions, with a passer rating of 49.4.

While he does not have a particularly large sample size as a pro with just 11 appearances over two seasons, what he has done when given the chance has not exactly sparked confidence in anyone. And for a team stuck in quarterback purgatory, that speaks volumes.

Granted, a sample size of 66 career passes is incredibly tiny, but it is not like he was able to do anything of note in his limited time on the field. If there had been a sense that he could be a meaningful contributor in Tennessee or elsewhere based on what has been seen, Green Bay would not have been able to get him a seventh-round draft pick.

Packers haven't solved their backup quarterback problem despite Malik Willis trade

The Titans were just happy to get something for him rather than nothing, no matter how meaningless the return actually is. He was third on their depth chart behind Will Levis and Mason Rudolph and likely wouldn't have made their 53-man roster.

While it may seem a little pointless to get worked up over someone who should not see the field in 2024, what if Love goes down with an injury and they need to go to their bench?

Is there any level of confidence in Willis to keep the team above water if Love were to be sidelined? The answer to those questions is simple—absolutely not.

The Packers would have been much better off exploring other options to bring into the mix to be Love's primary backup. Having patience may have helped, as the Cleveland Browns released Tyler Huntley earlier this week. He would've given the Packers an upgrade on Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt while not costing them a draft pick.

Instead, the Packers are banking on Willis making significant improvements in Year 3.

More Packers news and analysis