The Packers and Titans both exited the preseason with questions about their quarterback depth charts. Green Bay ended up cutting both Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, creating the need for a new Jordan Love backup.
The team had previously filled that vacancy by trading for Malik Willis. The 2022 third-rounder was sent to the Packers in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round selection. After the Titans kept free agent pickup Mason Rudolph in the backup role throughout training camp, signs pointed to the veteran earning the QB2 gig. The Willis trade confirmed as much, although he was caught off guard by the deal. 
“I didn’t wake up thinking I was going to be traded,” Willis said (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky). “So it definitely caught me by surprise. More than anything, you just take it [for] what it is. Quick turnaround, and the season’s starting. There’s no more lounging around and kinda getting ready for the season. This is what it is.”
Indeed, the 25-year-old now faces the challenge of learning Matt LaFleur‘s offense after spending the spring and summer acclimating to new Titans head coach Brian Callahan‘s scheme. If Willis is used in the backup role, he will be counted on to step in for Love if/when needed despite having recently arrived with the team. Green Bay did bring Clifford back on practice squad deal, though, meaning the Penn State product will be an option early in the season in particular over Willis.
Neither Clifford (selected in the fifth round of last year’s draft) nor Pratt (a seventh-round rookie) had a strong showing during training camp and the preseason. The latter passed through waivers without being claimed, meaning he is now a free agent. It will be interesting to see if Pratt finds an opportunity relatively soon, but in any case, the Packers are set to move forward with Willis in a notable role. The Liberty alum made only 11 appearances and three starts during his Tennessee tenure, scoring one (rushing) touchdown while throwing three interceptions. Green Bay will represent a fresh start, however.
“I think certainly there were some underwhelming performances at times,” GM Brian Gutekunst confirmed of Clifford and Pratt. “But at the same time, Malik is a guy that certainly, he’s in his third year and he really has shown a lot of progression, particularly this preseason… I’m excited to get him, get him in the building and see where that goes.”
Two years remain on Willis’ rookie contract, giving him time to cement himself as a part of Green Bay’s long-term planning at the QB spot. Cost-effective backups will be important considering Love’s $55MM-per-season extension signed this offseason. Love will be expected to deliver as a franchise passer, but Willis is now positioned to improve on his Tennessee stint in a new environment he did not see himself entering.
Packers suck.
lol, then maybe this year your team will actually take a game off them for a change.
Every Bears story the first post is an idiot Packers fan saying Bears suck. So I thought I’d give it a shot.
You know that’s not actually true, right?
I do?
I’ll help, I’m a 9ers fan, the Bears absolutely suck. They haven’t been relevant, or even not embarrassing, since before I was born, and I’m in my 30s. Your team is a sad joke.
Nobody on my team got shot. Just sayin
I don’t think that’s the dig you thought it was when posting.
I guess he was dead in 2007 then. Or Rubbing them out so often when he turned 13 he lost track of time. he probably got confused when counting all the recent 49ers Super Bowl victories. No team loses better than they do however. Patrick Mahommes sends his regards.
I’d argue one successful, titleless season doesn’t make the Bears a good franchise. I know the pain of rooting for a team who fails more often than not. I’d rather them be relevant every year and make it to the Super Bowl and lose than not make it at all, but maybe that’s just me.
By the way, I’m rooting for your Bears. I believe Caleb Williams is the next Aaron Rodgers. He will finally get the Bears over the hump. And probably secure that elusive Lombardi trophy at some point during his career.
Thanks. After Ryan Pace we were just looking for competent. Poles has the team on the right track and with Cunningham signed to an extension and Warren running things we seem to be on the brink of something special. How special remains to be seen but looking forward to it. Can’t really wait until Sunday. Poles has talent running in the right direction and the cap is in a good place so nothing is really in the way. Good luck to you and your team. No matter who it is. At least you are a normal poster. I just got tired of all the Packer fans just saying crap to sound relevant. It was a one off for me just for giggles. Don’t know how that pathetic SF fan got himself involved but whatever. He said they haven’t been relevant for 30 years so I just set the fool straight.
For what it’s worth, I do understand how rivalries can stretch from friendly banter to downright annoying junk, so I think you have a right to be off put by dumb comments like that. While I’ve had good interactions with Packers fans, there are some who just suck (as is the case with every fan base, I guess). Didn’t like them pouring beer on Amon-Ra St. Brown after his TD last season at Lambeau. That’s classless. Would love to see you knock them out of playoff contention this season if for nothing else than a change and Bears fans deserving some sustained success.
Poles is really righting that ship. I was unsure at first, but he had a great draft and a big offseason, overall! I envision big things for that Caleb + Rome combo for the next 5-10 years. Odunze also never acted like a diva at UW. I think he’ll be one to honor his contract and can’t imagine him ever holding out or taking his demands public.
You can’t say they haven’t been relevant when they almost won a Super Bowl.
Love hasn’t shown he’s Favre or Rodgers (yet)
But he played half a season of decent ball, he’s a hall of famer now!
Willis is correct – this trade made no sense. The Packers likely think they can “develop” him, but the key talents needed are simply not there.
I’m still surprised they let Pratt walk away so easily. I think he’s got potential. I think much like when Green Bay got Deshone Kizer, this is Willis’ last stop on the road to nowhere.
Willis even came off as extremely unmotivated and lazy with his quotes..
You’d think he’d be energized again, and happy he’s only one play away from getting another opportunity in the league…
I can’t speak for Willis, but it isn’t a good look
“There’s no more lounging around and kinda getting ready for the season.”
The word “more” is likely why he was replaced in TEN.
with regards to that lounging…link to youtube.com
That’s what I thought too 66. Why was dude ‘lounging around’? And why was he only ‘kinda’ getting ready for the season? What kinda moron paints himself as being lazy?
I know almost nothing about the guy, but my guess is that quote says more about his inability to speak intelligently than his approach to practice or training. I could be totally wrong though, and being lazy-ish is the reason his nfl career has been a failure to this point.
Well Al, not being able to speak intelligently doesn’t say much for his quarterbacking future either.
I believe Michael Pratt has gotten his next opportunity on someone’s practice squad. I believe it was Tampa Bay that brought him on to their PS.
Should be happy he’s still employed n in league. Didn’t show a whole lot when given opps. Looked raw on nfl QB attributes.