The Green Bay Packers hold one of the biggest bargaining chips in the NFL: a competent backup quarterback. Last season, Malik Willis proved that he’s grown significantly since his time with the Tennessee Titans.
Since he helped keep Green Bay afloat with two wins last season, Packers fans have had the feeling that it’s only a matter of time before someone comes calling to acquire his services.
After four weeks of play, there are at least two teams in the AFC North that are wishing they had a guy like Willis to lean on, and it’s a wonder that if they haven’t given Brian Gutekunst a call, just what are they waiting for?
Two AFC North contenders already showing why Green Bay Packers' backup Malik Willis would change their outlook
The Cincinnati Bengals lost Joe Burrow weeks ago, and the second run with Jake Browning in relief isn’t going well. Elsewhere, the Baltimore Ravens are going to be without Lamar Jackson for some time while he deals with a hamstring injury. His backup is Cooper Rush, who had some highs and lows in relief of Dak Prescott last season in Dallas.
Both teams make a ton of sense for Willis. In Baltimore, the offense wouldn’t have to change so drastically if he were in that spot instead of Rush. If this were Madden, a one-for-one trade for Willis and Rush to swap places would make some sense.
Of course, this isn't Madden. In reality, it’s tough for Baltimore to make such a call so flippantly. They have to give Rush the reins for now. Still, if things don’t work out with Rush and Jackson has any setbacks with his hamstring injury, the Ravens might be tempted to dial the Green Bay front office.
As for Cincinnati, they’re already in that phase. Burrow won’t be back unless this team can make the postseason, which seems highly unlikely after the first month of the 2025 campaign. Browning looked serviceable two years ago when he filled in for Burrow for a bulk of the 2023 season, but this year, he hasn’t had an opportunity to feed Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the outside.
The Bengals' defensive issues notwithstanding, the fact that Browning is a sitting duck in the pocket is doing him no favors and has proven to be the root of most of their issues. There’s an argument to be made that the only way Cincinnati can save its season is by finding a quarterback with elite mobility to take over. There’s no better mid-season option than Willis in that regard.
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Of course, the Bengals are one of the more conservatively run organizations in the league. The likelihood that they’d call for a mid-season trade at any position is low, but especially so at quarterback. As for the Ravens, they’re in wait-and-see mode. It’s still fairly unlikely that they’ll feel the need to go away from Rush before Jackson returns.
Still, those are two landing spots to keep an eye out for Willis next offseason, too. After all, there are only so many bridge opportunities to be had at the position, and Mac Jones is currently drawing the most attention to be a leading candidate for such jobs. If Willis doesn’t get a chance to start somewhere, sitting behind Burrow or Jackson could give him more playing time in the regular season.