Once envisioned as the potential Tennessee Titans franchise quarterback, Malik Willis is now departing Nashville.
The Titans are trading Willis to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2025 NFL Draft seventh-round pick, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday.
With Will Levis cemented as the Titans starter and Mason Rudolph, a free-agent signee this offseason who's produced consistently in training camp, now entrenched as the Tennessee No. 2, Willis will move on in the hopes of improving the Packers' backup situation.
Willis certainly appears to be set as Love's backup. Green Bay released its other two quarterbacks on its roster on Tuesday, waiving 2023 fifth-rounder Sean Clifford and 2024 seventh-rounder Michael Pratt, per Rapoport and NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero. Neither shined this preseason and Willis will provide, at the least, a more seasoned option.
In a 2022 draft class that was short on QB talent, Willis was seen by some as a potential first-rounder. He ended up falling to the third, where he was the third QB selected overall. Willis, Kenny Pickett (first round, No. 20 overall), Desmond Ridder (No. 74) are each on different teams now, while other notables such as Matt Corral and Sam Howell have moved on, as well. Of course, the last pick of that draft, Brock Purdy is still with the San Francisco 49ers.
Willis has played in 11 games with three starts in two seasons, all of the starts coming as a rookie when he went 1-2. He's completed 53% of his 66 passes for 350 yards and has yet to throw an NFL touchdown pass. The Liberty product does offer some spark with his legs, having rushed for 144 yards (4.5 yards average) and a TD.
Still only 25, Willis could get a fresh chance to improve his game under Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, but for now should slightly improve the Packers' QB room behind Love while concluding his ill-fated time in Tennessee.
