How Malik Willis has transformed in a month the perception around the type of quarterback he is
Twenty-seven days ago, the Tennessee Titans agreed to send quarterback Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick. On Sunday, the decision came back to haunt them. Willis said during the week that there are no hard feelings, and he never felt disrespected by his old team. But it has to feel […]
Twenty-seven days ago, the Tennessee Titans agreed to send quarterback Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick. On Sunday, the decision came back to haunt them. Willis said during the week that there are no hard feelings, and he never felt disrespected by his old team.
But it has to feel great, doesn’t it? After all, not only did the Packers win the second consecutive game with Malik Willis at quarterback, but Willis played at a really good level at Nissan Stadium — something he hadn’t done yet, which tells you how important situations are for quarterbacks.
More than that, Malik Willis has proven he’s a capable NFL quarterback. Nobody could see that coming so fast — not even Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. But Willis has merits to keep quietly working to be ready.
“It’s just a different opportunity. I only got three starts here, as a rookie,” Willis said after the game. “Like I said before, I just wasn’t ready at that point in time. I’ve had a lot of time to just work hard and grind every day in order to make use of my next opportunity, which I’ve tried to do these last two weeks. More than anything, I’m just trying to continue to work hard and understand that you don’t know when an opportunity will come, but you have to be ready for it.”
Matt LaFleur is shocked about what Willis has been able to do. Not only about the performance itself, but about how he has handled everything — learning the offense, integrating himself to the locker room.
“I can’t say enough about him and the job he’s done,” LaFleur mentioned. “To be able to lead our offense and be productive. He made some big-time plays throughout the course of the game. Obviously there were some plays with legs that were huge, also plays in the passing game.”
Malik Willis had a good passing game and was a more central part of the offense in general. He showed his running ability, getting 73 rushing yards — the second most by a Packers quarterback in the Super Bowl era and the most since Don Majkowski had 88 in 1990.
“Each game is different, and there’s a different complexion to each of them,” Willis added. “We had great calls coming from Matt [LaFleur], and I think we did our best to execute them.”
Malik Wilis was acquired by the Packers for a seventh-round pick. Many, myself included, doubted it would turn out as a good move. Less than a month later, how much would be necessary for Green Bay to trade him away? This is how well (and fast) Willis has rebuilt his value in the NFL. When raw talent, a good situation, and hard work get together, good things happen.
Matt LaFleur did it again, and he should receive much more love than he does
Green Bay won its second consecutive game without Jordan Love
