The Green Bay Packers opened the 2025 season as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. But the momentum didn’t last. They dropped five straight games to close the year, including a Wild Card round loss to the Chicago Bears.
Still, Green Bay may not have even reached the postseason if not for backup quarterback Malik Willis, who stabilized the offense during Jordan Love’s injury stretch.
Love once again dealt with multiple injuries, forcing Willis into action just as he had the year before. Willis appeared in four games, starting one, and threw for 422 yards with three touchdowns. He also added 123 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground.
His performances in Weeks 16 and 17 against the Bears and Baltimore Ravens — even in losses — were enough to catch the attention of quarterback-needy teams.
Of course, one of the favorites to land him is the Miami Dolphins, who hired former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as their next head coach. But there’s also a sleeper team that ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes could quietly be in play.
Malik Willis Linked To Dolphins, Cardinals & AFC North Team
From the moment Jeff Hafley was hired as the Miami Dolphins’ new head coach, speculation began linking Willis to South Beach. Hafley previously served as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator, giving Miami familiarity with Willis’ growth inside the Packers’ system.
Another obvious tie exists in Arizona. The Cardinals hired Mike LaFleur — brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur — as their new head coach, creating another potential bridge to Willis.
“Two teams I’ll be watching to pursue Malik Willis, if they can find someone to take their current quarterbacks, are the Cardinals and Dolphins,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote. “The ties are obvious: New Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley got a head start on Willis from Green Bay, and new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur can get intimate knowledge of Willis’ game from LaFleur’s brother, Matt. The Cardinals and Dolphins are saddled with huge guarantees for Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, respectively, though.”
Fowler also mentioned the Cleveland Browns as a potential sleeper — though that outlook may have shifted.
He continued: “The Browns were my sleeper for Willis, but the hiring of Todd Monken might change that equation. He seems open to working with the quarterbacks on the roster, including Shedeur Sanders.”
If Willis were to land in Cleveland, he would join what has become a revolving door at quarterback for a franchise still searching for long-term answer.
Malik Willis’ Projected Contract
Since being drafted in the third round (No. 86 overall) by the Tennessee Titans in 2022, Willis has largely served as a backup. He has just six career starts, split evenly between Tennessee and Green Bay.
He’s also been playing on a modest rookie contract, which peaked at $1.4 million last season.
That figure is set to change dramatically.
Spotrac currently projects Willis to command approximately $35.5 million annually on a two-year, $71.075 million deal.
For a quarterback with limited starting experience, that type of market projection underscores just how valued the position has become in the NFL — and how strongly teams believe Willis may still have untapped upside.
Shane Shoemaker Shane Shoemaker is a sports journalist covering college football and the NFL for Heavy.com. His work has also appeared in The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, USA TODAY, and ClutchPoints, along with high school sports coverage for the Marion Tribune. More about Shane Shoemaker
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