Malik Willis

Packers Get QB Jordan Love Back In Week 4

September 28th, 2024 at 5:57pm CST by Ely Allen

Many feared the Packers’ season was over before it even got a chance to take off when highly-paid quarterback Jordan Love went down with an apparent leg injury during the final drive of the team’s season opener in Brazil. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, though, in Week 4, Love will attempt to make a return to the field much earlier than expected in an effort to keep his team in the NFC North race.

That goal is made much easier by the fact that backup quarterback Malik Willis has led Green Bay to two straight wins following the season-opening loss. Willis hasn’t been a world-beater as a stand-in passer for the past two weeks, but he’s been an effective enough replacement to secure two wins for his squad.

Willis has been so effective, in fact, that there has been speculation that both Love and Willis could get playing time this week with Love active. This could be an idea that results from slow-playing Love in his return to the field. If they aren’t 100 percent confident that their new franchise passer is ready to return in a safe and healthy way, they likely won’t hesitate to put Willis back in under center.

When Love suffered his injury, there were predictions that he would miss anywhere from three to six weeks, and should he make his return this week, he would beat even the most liberal estimates after only a two-game absence. Two weeks ago, it was reported that Love was aiming for a Week 5 return, and there was even some hope that he might appear last week, but it looks like this weekend will be the time for his comeback.

Packers’ Jordan Love Inactive For Week 3

September 22nd, 2024 at 12:31am CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 22: Although the Packers have not yet announced Love’s status, the second-year starter is once again expected to be sidelined, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero note. Considering Week 5 had surfaced as an early Love return window, it is not exactly surprising Green Bay will continue to exercise caution despite its starter’s return to practice. Thus, Willis’ Tennessee return will take on far greater significance. Love has since been declared inactive.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2:15pm: Love practiced on a limited basis once again on Thursday. Head coach Matt LaFleur said the team is prepared to wait until 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday (when inactives are announced) before making a final call, indicating the extent to which Love is a candidate to return in Week 3. His status could still easily change in the coming days, of course, depending on his recovery progress.

9:44am: While Malik Willis won in his Packers debut, Jordan Love‘s ability to return to the lineup remains a key talking point for the team. Green Bay’s starter returned to practice on Wednesday, and he now has at least an outside chance of suiting up in Week 3.

“I’m hopeful that I’ll get to that point where I can get in there,” Love said, via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman (subscription required). The second-year starter practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, and day-to-day evaluations will take place during the immediate future to determine his status. A cautious approach on the team’s part would come as no surprise, of course, but the fact Love could be an option to play on Sunday is notable.

An MCL sprain suffered during the Packers’ season opener led to the expectation of a multi-week absence. A stint on injured reserve was not deemed necessary, though, and a recent update indicated Week 5 was Love’s targeted return date. Even if he does not progress to the point where playing is feasible on Sunday, continued practice time could allow the 25-year-old to return to the lineup in Week 4 after just two missed contests.

Love is currently using a brace, and his mobility over the coming days will be key in determining whether or not he plays against the Titans. If that does not end up being the case, Willis will be in line for a second straight start. A contest against Tennessee would be particularly significant given the fact he began his career there before being traded to Green Bay shortly before the start of the regular season.

Willis – who did not expect to be dealt upon losing the Titans’ backup competition to Mason Rudolph – had a solid, if unspectacular, Packers debut in Week 2. The former third-rounder completed 12 of his 14 pass attempts for 122 yards and one touchdown while adding 41 rushing yards. Willis did not take any sacks or commit any turnovers, and a similar outing would be welcomed by team and player against Tennessee if it were necessary. Plenty will depend on how Love progresses over the coming days before a final decision is made.

Packers Will Not Place Jordan Love On IR; Team Has Not Contacted Free Agent QBs

September 9th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Packers are set to rely on Malik Willis in the event Jordan Love misses time over the coming weeks. That remains a distinct possibility in the latter’s case, but he will not be placed on injured reserve.

Love is dealing with an MCL sprain, and he is facing a recovery timeline of three to six weeks. Placing him on IR would guarantee an absence of at least four weeks, but head coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday that route will not be taken. Love is therefore a candidate to return on the short end of that timeframe, and for that reason Green Bay is not interested in adding a signal-caller.

“No. Despite reports,” LaFleur said of the Packers having interest in a free agent quarterback (via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette). “It’s crazy to me how people come up with some of these things. I think you explore every possibility, but at no point in time did we ever have any discussions with anybody.”

A report from Sunday stated the Packers reached out to Ryan Tannehill, the most experienced quarterback currently on the market. It was unclear at the time if Green Bay represented a destination Tannehill was interested in as he weighs his options, but LaFleur’s comments confirm no contract talks took place anyway. With Love set to only miss a brief period, the team will rely on Willis and Sean Clifford under center.

Green Bay had Clifford and seventh-round rookie Michael Pratt in place during the summer as they competed for the backup gig. Neither passer impressed, and they were both waived during roster cutdowns. Clifford cleared waivers and was retained on the practice squad whereas Pratt departed and joined the Buccaneers’ taxi squad.

Willis was acquired via trade shortly before the roster cut deadline, giving him a short window of time to learn the Packers’ offense. The former Titans draftee did not anticipate being dealt despite the fact free agent signing Mason Rudolph outperformed him during training camp and the preseason. Willis, 25, made three starts as a rookie but he made only three appearances last season as Tennessee transitioned from Tannehill to Will Levis. The Packers will offer him a new opportunity on a short-term basis until Love is back to full health.

Malik Willis To Start For Packers; Team Has Reached Out To Ryan Tannehill

September 8th, 2024 at 10:20pm CST by Rory Parks

Packers quarterback Jordan Love will be sidelined for three to six weeks as a result of the MCL sprain he suffered in the club’s Week 1 loss to the Eagles. Recent trade acquisition Malik Willis will step into the starting lineup for Green Bay’s home opener against the Colts next week, per Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer (via Aaron Nagler of CheeseheadTV).

However, the team has reached out to veteran passer Ryan Tannehill, as Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Tannehill is the most accomplished quarterback still on the market after his Titans tenure came to an end this spring. The 36-year-old has received interest from teams this offseason, but he appeared content to wait out the start of the year and examine the opportunities which presented themselves. Week 1 has certainly done so in the form of the Love injury.

Earlier today, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided an update on Tannehill’s status. The Texas A&M alum has stayed in shape while awaiting a potential offer, but he intends to return to action only under the “perfect” circumstances. A playoff contender featuring a strong offensive line and skill-position pieces would be Tannehill’s target, Rapoport notes, while adding finances would play a part as well. With just over $195MM in career earnings, Tannehill can afford to be selective when considering his suitors.

As a team which went to the divisional round of the postseason last year in large part on the strength of its young offense, though, the Packers represent a logical landing spot for Tannehill. Each of Green Bay’s top pass-catchers from last year remain in place, and free agent pickup Josh Jacobs is positioned to handle a heavy workload in the backfield. The team entered Sunday with roughly $14.6MM in cap space, providing the flexibility for a short-term addition under center.

For now, at least, it will be Willis at the helm. The former Titans third-rounder lost out to Mason Rudolph this offseason for the team’s backup gig, prompting his trade to the Packers. Willis was caught off guard by the move, one which came after Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt struggled to earn the QB2 spot. Both young passers were cut, with Clifford being retained via a practice squad deal and Pratt leaving the organization. Clifford represents an option more familiar with Matt LaFleur‘s scheme, but to little surprise Willis get the nod for at least one start.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Packers QB Malik Willis Did Not Anticipate Titans Trade

September 1st, 2024 at 6:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

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.

Titans To Trade QB Malik Willis To Packers

August 26th, 2024 at 10:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Malik Willis‘ Titans tenure will end after his third preseason with the team. Tennessee’s new regime will move on from the former Jon Robinson-era draftee.

The Titans are trading Willis to the Packers, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports. Tennessee will pick up a 2025 seventh-rounder from Green Bay. Two years remain on the former third-rounder’s rookie contract. Willis heads to a Packers team with some uncertainty behind Jordan Love.

Rumored as a potential first-round pick, Willis endured one of the more memorable draft-weekend slides in recent NFL history. As part of a maligned 2022 quarterback class, the Liberty product slid to No. 86. Willis’ performances with the Titans did well to justify the league’s hesitancy, even as high-profile draft gurus viewed him as a player who was bound for a first- or second-round draft destination. The Packers will take what amounts to a flier, given the trade compensation.

Willis competed with free agency addition Mason Rudolph for the Titans’ backup job this summer. Rudolph, who joined the team on a one-year deal worth $2.87MM, was believed to be in the lead. This will leave the Titans with a question regarding their third-string QB, as only Rudolph and Will Levis are now on the roster. But this cuts the cord on Robinson’s QB options — during an offseason in which Ran Carthon has made sweeping changes on offense.

With Levis also developing, Willis did not make too much sense on Tennessee’s roster any longer. Rudolph is in place as a veteran backup, and after Brian Callahan said the team would let the process play out through the preseason, the Titans figure to be in the QB3 market once the waiver wire presents options.

The Titans’ offense ground to a halt when Willis replaced Ryan Tannehill in 2022. The then-rookie completed just 50.8% of his passes, as Mike Vrabel turned to run-heavy game scripts when the former Auburn recruit was taking snaps. Willis went 1-2 as a Tannehill relief option that year and finished with 10- and 16-pass starts. After a 14-for-23 outing in a loss to the then-lowly Texans, Vrabel demoted him for Josh Dobbs, whom the Titans signed off the Lions’ practice squad late that season. Willis threw just five more regular-season passes as a Titan.

Willis, 25, came to Tennessee after two dominant seasons at Liberty. He finished with a 47-18 TD-INT ratio from 2020-21 at the mid-major program, after not beating out Jarrett Stidham at Auburn. Willis also posted 944- and 878-yard rushing seasons with his second program, totaling 27 rushing TDs. He will attempt to restart his development under Matt LaFleur.

LaFleur has not seen strong returns from Love backups Sean Clifford and seventh-round rookie Michael Pratt. Both struggled against the Broncos during the preseason’s second week, with LaFleur expressing disappointment (via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman) about that effort in a 27-2 loss. Willis will likely back up Love, Schefter adds, though it would stand to be challenging for that setup to commence immediately due to Clifford’s knowledge of LaFleur’s system. But the incumbent is undoubtedly on notice. The Packers used a 2023 fifth-round pick on Clifford and are now guaranteed to cut either he or Pratt — and that is only if the team keeps three passers.

Latest On Titans’ Backup QB Competition

August 19th, 2024 at 12:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

With two preseason games in the books, the Titans have been able to evaluate players at a number of positions which feature ongoing roster competitions. In the case of the backup quarterback gig, though, more time will be needed before a final call is made.

Will Levis sits atop the depth chart, and his ability to develop under rookie head coach Brian Callahan will be a key storyline for Tennessee this season. Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis continue to vie for the QB2 role, and through the first preseason contest the former had impressed to the point the latter struggled to get reps with the second-team offense. Even though they both played against the Seahawks, no firm decision will be made over the comings days.

“We’ll let this thing play out another week,” Callahan said (via the team’s website). “This time next week we’ll be able to make a decision and determination on who the 2 will be, and what happens with the third spot, if we keep three or practice squad three, or we just go with two.”

Even if Rudolph cements his status as the preferred option to Willis, a decision will need to be made on keeping the Liberty product on the 53-man roster or exposing him to waivers later this month. Indications in June pointed to Tennessee being willing to carry three signal-callers on the roster, but Callahan and Co. could opt for a different route when a final decision is made.

Rudolph signed a one-year deal in free agency; all but $100K of his $2.8MM in compensation is guaranteed. The former Steeler has 13 regular season starts to his name, along with last year’s wild-card contest. The 29-year-old took over from an injured Kenny Pickett and remained atop the depth chart once he was healthy, but Pittsburgh cleaned house under center this offseason.

Willis, 25, was a member of the underwhelming 2022 QB class, and he has not developed as a passer to date. The former third-rounder made three starts as a rookie but he was limited to just five pass attempts last season while spending time behind both Levis and Ryan Tannehill on the depth chart. Waiving Willis would create $466K in dead money charges, making that move more financially feasible than a Rudolph release.

Callahan added the Titans’ starters will get limited reps during their preseason finale, but both Rudolph and Willis will also see action in that game. Only after that contest will a final call be made regarding which passer earns the backup role and whether or not both will be retained on the 53-man roster.

QB Rumors: Dak, Cowboys, Dolphins, Tua, Titans, Rudolph, Willis, Sanders

August 14th, 2024 at 7:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys continue to drag out their complex contract situation, one headlined by Dak Prescott‘s contract-year status and enormous leverage. One of the issues believed to be factoring into the quarterback’s negotiations: when the contract’s escape hatch emerges, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. This would pertain to when guarantees vest. Considering Prescott’s built-in advantages stemming from no-trade and no-tag clauses, along with his lofty 2024 cap number and a $40.1MM void years-driven penalty that would go on Dallas’ cap if he reaches free agency, the ninth-year QB is undoubtedly pushing for most of this contract to be guaranteed. Rolling guarantees, which feature money locking in a year early, are also likely coming up during these talks. The Cowboys prefer five- or six-year deals, though they are not in good position to dictate term length or guarantee structure to their longtime passer.

As could be expected, a host of execs are critical of Jerry Jones for slow-playing this. Some are puzzled (via the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora) the Cowboys owner has lost this much leverage with Dak. The Cowboys are believed to be closer on terms with CeeDee Lamb, but one GM told La Canfora that Jones “totally screwed this up” re: Prescott. A $60MM-per-year contract, or something close to it with a player-friendly guarantee structure, will almost definitely be necessary for the Cowboys to keep Dak away from free agency come March.

Here is the latest QB news from around the league:

Tua Tagovailoa‘s Dolphins deal features a rolling guarantee structure. The Miami QB’s $54MM 2026 base salary will shift from guaranteed for injury to fully guaranteed in 2025, Florio notes. Of Tua’s 2027 base salary ($31MM), $20MM is guaranteed for injury; $3MM of that total shifts to a full guarantee by 2026 before the remainder vests in 2027. A $5MM roster bonus is also due in 2027. Tagovailoa’s 2028 base ($41.4MM) is nonguaranteed. Miami has set up a potential 2027 escape hatch, though the southpaw starter would still collect more than $150MM from 2024-26 in the event the team moved on three years down the road. Two void years are included to spread out cap hits, the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin tweets.
Mason Rudolph has displayed accuracy at Titans camp, to the point Titans.com’s Jim Wyatt notes Malik Willis has been unable to gain ground — even though he has looked more comfortable in Year 3 — in the battle for the QB2 job. In the team’s preseason opener, Rudolph came in first and went 10-for-17 for 126 yards. Willis entered midway through the third quarter, going 5-for-7 for 38 yards (but rushing for 42). The Titans gave Rudolph a one-year, $2.8MM deal with $2.7MM guaranteed. A 2022 third-rounder, Willis is tied to a $985K base salary. Cutting the erratic third-year QB would cost the Titans only $466K, and it is certainly worth noting neither this coaching staff nor GM Ran Carthon was in Nashville when Willis was drafted. The Titans are open to carrying three QBs, but will this staff continue to develop an inherited arm given Carthon’s Will Levis investment?
NFL evaluators are split on Shedeur Sanders‘ stock for the 2025 draft. While ESPN.com’s Jordan Reid slots him as his No. 2 quarterback (behind Georgia’s Carson Beck) for the ’25 class — though, as a late-Round 1/early-Round 2 prospect — one NFL exec tabbed the Colorado QB as a Day 2 pick. Another evaluator labeled the returning Buffaloes passer as a first-rounder based largely on what is viewed as a weaker quarterback crop. Deion Sanders‘ influence on his son’s career is certainly not lost on execs, Reid adds, as the NFL legend/Colorado HC has already said he does see a cold-weather team as a fit (despite the duo’s current Boulder, Colo., location). Sanders’ impact on his son’s value has come up in NFL circles already and will likely remain a talking point moving forward.

Titans Considering Carrying Three QBs?

June 28th, 2024 at 10:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the Ryan Tannehill era over in Tennessee, Will Levis is set to take on starting quarterback duties across a full campaign in 2024. The Titans have a pair of signal-callers behind him on the depth chart, but both could end up surviving roster cuts.

Tennessee selected Malik Willis in the third round of the 2022 draft, making him a member of a class which was not well regarded before or after the event. The 25-year-old made three starts as a rookie, but down the stretch it was clear he did not have the trust of Mike Vrabel‘s coaching staff. Last season, Willis made just three appearances and attempted five passes with Tannehill ultimately making way for Levis as QB1.

The Titans, to no surprise, have not re-signed Tannehill (who remains on the open market). The team did, however, bring in an experienced backup option in the form of Mason Rudolph. The ex-Steeler inked a one-year deal with a base value of $2.87MM to head to Nashville. Rudolph, 28, will spend training camp competing with Willis for the backup spot.

Regardless of how that battle turns out, though, all three passers could make the team’s initial 53-man roster. Team reporter Jim Wyatt writes the Titans could carry both Rudolph and Willis even if the latter loses out on the QB2 gig. Willis has two years remaining on his rookie contract and keeping him in the fold would allow him to continue developing under new head coach Brian Callahan. On the other hand, the Liberty alum’s underwhelming pro career to date could make him a relatively safe candidate to clear waivers at the end of the summer.

New rules allow teams to use an unlimited number of practice squad elevations for signal-callers to dress on gamedays as an emergency third quarterback. As a result, many NFL roster are expected to include only two passers on the 53-man roster at the start of the season. Plenty is yet to be determined, but the Titans could be on track to serve as an exception in that regard.

AFC South Rumors: Titans, Burks, Scruggs

June 7th, 2024 at 8:35pm CST by Ely Allen

The Titans seem confident in moving forward with second-year passer Will Levis as their starter under center. With Levis’ relative inexperience in the NFL, though, the backup quarterback job has become an important one.

In nine starts as a rookie, Levis struggled with a 3-6 record and only completed 58.4 percent of his passes. Not counting a Week 16 game in which he only saw the first two drives of the contest, Levis averaged 224 passing yards per game in an offense spearheaded by Derrick Henry. He showed considerable poise for a rookie, though, throwing eight touchdowns to only four interceptions and adding a rushing score to his total, as well.

So, despite Levis’ seemingly cemented status as QB1, the backup quarterback job will be a crucial one for the Titans in 2024, and new head coach Brian Callahan told the media that veteran Mason Rudolph and recent third-round pick Malik Willis will compete for the honor, per Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com. In two years with the team, Willis has seen limited usage with uninspiring results. Discounting garbage time or gadget play appearances here and there, Willis has made three starts, all coming in his rookie season. In those starts, Willis completed a combined 25 of his 49 pass attempts and didn’t once eclipse 100 passing yards as the offense was focused around Henry.

Rudolph saw his highest usage in 2019 with the Steelers, making eight starts in 10 games as an injury replacement for Ben Roethlisberger alongside Devlin Hodges. Despite going 5-4-1 as a starter while throwing 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions coming into 2022, Rudolph found himself seemingly out of consideration for the starting job as Mitchell Trubisky and Kenny Pickett combined for just 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. As those two continued to struggle to produce in 2023, Rudolph helped revive one of the league’s least efficient offenses as it circled the drain, rattling off three straight wins to help keep Mike Tomlin‘s streak of winning seasons alive before ultimately losing the team’s first-round playoff game.

Now, Rudolph and Willis will duke it out for backup duties behind Levis. If Levis struggles, Rudolph provides an ability to fill in as a proven starter. Willis will have a chance to show what he can provide, as well, as he continues to develop at the NFL level.

Here are a couple of other rumors coming out of the AFC South:

Staying in Nashville, Callahan stressed in an interview this week that wide receiver Treylon Burks will have to contribute on special teams in order to justify a roster spot this year, according to Easton Freeze of Broadway Sports Media. We profiled Burks recently as a trade candidate as the acquisitions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd pushed him further down the depth chart after a disappointing start for the former first-round selection out of Arkansas. While the Titans may not be willing to give up completely on Burks, they do recognize that his continued presence on the roster means he will need to find other ways to contribute if not on the starting offense.
Lastly, former second-round pick Juice Scruggs debuted late into his rookie season last year, starting at left guard for the Texans‘ final six games of the season after coming off injured reserve and replacing an injured Tytus Howard. Originally projected as an NFL center coming out of Penn State, Scruggs is expected to return to his natural position and start for Houston in 2024, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.

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