Malik Willis has renewed momentum and several teams could offer him a starting chance after his time with the Packers
Willis wants to be a starter again in the NFL.
Malik Willis rebuilt his career and his value in two seasons with the Green Bay Packers, and now it’s time to reap the benefits. A former third-round pick by the Tennessee Titans, he almost got cut but ended up being traded for a seventh-round pick.
Over the past two years, under head coach Matt LaFleur, Willis played fantastic football in basically every opportunity, putting the Packers in position to win games even when Jordan Love wasn’t available.
Now, Willis is set to hit free agency. Beyond the money he will get from his second NFL contract, an opportunity to at least compete for a starting job is huge. So, let’s discuss which teams could make sense for the young quarterback, who enters the market as one of the top QBs of the free agent class.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are set to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, and they are building a Green Bay South team with general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. Even though the offense doesn’t have as much influence from the Packers as the defense does, getting a bridge quarterback there makes sense.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings still expect J.J. McCarthy to be the long-term starter. However, it’s hard to enter the 2026 season without a reasonable competition plan after what happened in 2025 — not only because of how McCarthy played, but because of how frequently he got injured.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike McCarthy has said he wants Aaron Rodgers back and that he likes Will Howard as a developmental option. But if Rodgers doesn’t return, Willis could work as a viable bridge option with long-term potential.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals still have Kyler Murray under contract, but they’re bringing in a new coaching staff, so it’s hard to know how long Murray will be there. Arizona has the third-overall pick, but it’s mostly a one-quarterback class at the top, so the team needs an alternative.
Cleveland Browns
You may have heard that the Browns finally have a Pro Bowl quarterback, but that says more about the Pro Bowl than about the Browns’ QB situation. They might still lean toward giving Shedeur Sanders another year, but creating stronger competition is realistic.
Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones is probably the top QB in the free agent market, and a return to Indy is possible — perhaps even before he actually hits free agency. However, Jones is recovering from a torn Achilles, so the Colts will likely need to study options, at least for the short term.
New York Jets
The Jets already invested in Justin Fields last offseason, so it’s hard to know if Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn will be inclined to do that again. The problem is that, despite having the second-overall pick, there might not be great options otherwise.
Los Angeles Rams
If Matthew Stafford retires, this becomes a possibility. Sean McVay knows that Willis can run a similar version of offense, and it’s a quarterback with the potential to establish the Rams’ situation for years to come.