![\"Malik](\"https:\/\/thumbor.evrimagaci.org\/OPe0b0svpJo1oFVMieTCHQ9bXhg=\/1200x0\/filters:quality(85)\/tpg\/sources\/f3dd46ec-0cdb-43aa-9a94-0c70443be4d0.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Malik Willis\u2019 journey from a third-round draft pick with the Tennessee Titans to one of the most coveted free agent quarterbacks in 2026 has been nothing short of remarkable. After two seasons backing up Jordan Love with the Green Bay Packers, Willis now stands on the precipice of a career-defining payday and, most likely, a starting role in the NFL. But as the free agency frenzy heats up, a swirl of quarterback market intrigue, salary cap considerations, and team maneuvering is making his next destination a hot topic across the league.<\/p>\n
It was just two years ago, in August 2024, that the Packers acquired Willis from the Titans. At the time, he was viewed as an intriguing project\u2014an athletic signal-caller with a big arm and dynamic legs, but still raw. Fast forward to February 25, 2026, and Willis is the consensus top quarterback in a free agent class that\u2019s otherwise thin at the position. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that “interested teams I\u2019ve spoken to at the Combine in Indianapolis believe him getting at least $30 million per year is a foregone conclusion.” That\u2019s a far cry from the $10-12 million per year projections floated back in January. As Schultz put it, “Packers free agent QB Malik Willis is in demand, as expected.”<\/p>\n
The Green Bay Packers, for their part, seem resigned to losing Willis. General manager Brian Gutekunst acknowledged during his end-of-season press conference, “Obviously, we\u2019d love to have Malik back, but, at the same time, to be realistic, I think he\u2019s going to have a lot of opportunities to maybe play more than he would here, so we\u2019ll see where that goes.” With Jordan Love firmly entrenched as the starter, there\u2019s simply no path for Willis to take the reins in Green Bay\u2014at least, not without a starter\u2019s salary, which the Packers aren\u2019t prepared to pay for a backup.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s driving Willis\u2019 value? It\u2019s not just the scarcity of quality starting options in this year\u2019s market. Willis has shown he can step up and deliver when called upon. Over 11 games with the Packers, he completed 70 of 89 passes\u2014a stellar 78.7% completion rate\u2014for 972 yards and six touchdowns, without throwing a single interception. He also showcased his dual-threat ability, adding 261 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. When Love went down with injuries, Willis didn\u2019t just fill in; he excelled.<\/p>\n
His 2024 campaign included two spot starts, both resulting in wins for Green Bay\u2014one of them against his former team, the Titans. In that game, Willis completed 68.4% of his passes for 202 yards and a touchdown, plus 73 rushing yards and a score. The following year, he delivered his best performance in a Week 17 clash with the Baltimore Ravens: 85.7% completion, 288 yards and a touchdown passing, along with 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns before a shoulder injury ended his night. Even though the Packers lost both of his starts in 2025, Willis\u2019 poise and command of the offense left a lasting impression on scouts and executives alike.<\/p>\n
But just as Willis\u2019 star is rising, the quarterback market is shifting. The Chicago Bears, for instance, are at the heart of the drama. They\u2019re reportedly considering trading backup QB Tyson Bagent, who carries a modest $4.75 million cap hit for each of the next two seasons. That\u2019s a bargain compared to Willis\u2019 projected $30 million annual salary. Bears general manager Ryan Poles admitted, “Trading him would be a really tough decision,” and called Bagent an “interesting dynamic that we\u2019re going to have to work through.” Head coach Ben Johnson added that Bagent\u2019s preseason work has shown the team he\u2019s worthy of being a starting signal-caller.<\/p>\n
For teams in need of a quarterback, Bagent represents a cost-effective alternative to Willis. If a franchise balks at Willis\u2019 asking price, they could pivot to Bagent\u2014a possibility that could thin Willis\u2019 list of suitors. According to OverTheCap, Bagent\u2019s manageable contract might be more attractive for cap-strapped teams, especially those weighing the risk of a big-money commitment to a player with just six career starts over the last two seasons.<\/p>\n
So, where might Willis land? The rumor mill is churning at full speed. The Miami Dolphins are widely considered the frontrunners, thanks in part to their recent hires of former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as head coach and ex-Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager. That Green Bay pipeline could make for a smooth transition. Plus, the Dolphins\u2019 quarterback situation is anything but settled, making Willis an appealing fit.<\/p>\n
Other teams linked to Willis include the Arizona Cardinals, who now have Mike LaFleur\u2014brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur\u2014at the helm. With Kyler Murray\u2019s future uncertain, Arizona could be in the market for a new starter. The Cleveland Browns and New York Jets have also been mentioned as possible suitors, though the Dolphins remain the consensus favorite among league insiders.<\/p>\n
Spotrac, a respected salary-tracking site, projects Willis to land a two-year, $71 million deal in free agency. That\u2019s a hefty sum, but not outlandish given the context. Just last offseason, Justin Fields inked a two-year, $40 million contract with $30 million guaranteed to join the New York Jets. With the quarterback market as tight as it is, teams are willing to pay a premium for a player who can step in and lead an offense\u2014especially one with Willis\u2019 upside.<\/p>\n
Willis\u2019 development in Green Bay has been about more than just numbers. He\u2019s earned praise for his improved football IQ, ability to protect the football, and command of the huddle. As one report noted, “He truly looks like some team\u2019s answer at quarterback.” Unlike some free agents who have bounced around without ever showing much growth, Willis has made tangible strides, both as a passer and a leader.<\/p>\n
Of course, there are still questions. Willis has never been a full-time starter for a complete season, and while his flashes of brilliance are enticing, teams will have to weigh that against the risk of a big financial commitment. But with multiple franchises desperate for quarterback help, it seems inevitable that a bidding war will erupt once the market opens on March 11th.<\/p>\n
As the league year approaches, all eyes are on Malik Willis. Will a team like the Dolphins pull the trigger and make him their franchise quarterback? Or will another contender swoop in and outbid the competition? One thing\u2019s for sure: Willis is about to get paid, and his next chapter promises to be the most exciting yet. For now, the NFL waits\u2014and so does Malik Willis, ready to seize his moment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Malik Willis\u2019 journey from a third-round draft pick with the Tennessee Titans to one of the most coveted free agent quarterbacks in 2026 has been nothing short…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":43879,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-green-bay-packers"],"yoast_head":"\n