Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur suggested after the team’s preseason finale that they might look outside the current roster for a backup quarterback. His hint turned out to be accurate when the Packers traded a 2025 seventh-round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans for Malik Willis, who is expected to back up Jordan Love this season.
This move came after a summer-long competition between second-year player Sean Clifford and rookie Michael Pratt, neither of whom sufficiently impressed the Packers’ coaching staff.
The competition between Clifford, who served as a backup last season, and Pratt, a recent draft pick, did not produce a standout performer. The Packers’ evaluation revealed that neither Clifford nor Pratt had demonstrated enough potential to confidently step in if Love were injured. This uncertainty led to the decision to acquire Willis from the Titans.
After the preseason finale, LaFleur expressed concern over the backup options, stating that the team needed to evaluate all available options. He noted both promising moments and areas needing improvement from the current backups, which influenced the decision to seek external help. The team’s assessment of the quarterbacks on their roster contributed to the move for Willis.
The Packers’ investment in Love is significant, highlighted by his recent four-year, $220 million contract, making the backup quarterback position crucial. Willis, who would have been the third-string quarterback behind Will Levis and Mason Rudolph for the Titans, now finds himself in a potentially prominent role with Green Bay.
However, it might be challenging for him to be fully prepared as the No. 2 quarterback by the season opener against the Eagles.
Tennessee’s decision to trade Willis was influenced by their roster constraints, as they needed to prioritize other positions such as tight ends and running backs. Willis, who had shown improvement under new coach Brian Callahan, became expendable due to the numbers game. Callahan’s comments on the third quarterback rule further underscored the complexity of roster management and contributed to the decision to let Willis go.
