Total Pro Sports
After striking out on former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets have been urged to make a play for Malik Willis.
Earlier this week, the Jets confirmed reports that they aren’t bringing back Rodgers for a third season. The new HC-GM tandem of Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey ultimately decided that they want to start over at the position, meaning Rodgers will soon be traded or outright released from his contract.
Connor Long of Jets X-Factor proposed the idea of the Jets going back the Packers QB route by trading for Malik Willis:
“While many will immediately dismiss the idea, Willis possesses a lot of upside, and it certainly can’t hurt for the Jets to consider a flier on him as a 2025 bridge option.
Additionally, he is an extremely cheap option. Willis only has one year left on his rookie deal, which has a cap number of $1.4M in 2025. That said, the Jets would need to acquire Willis via trade.
After being acquired for a seventh-round pick last offseason, a conditional sixth-round pick in 2026, which could become a fifth if Willis plays 60% of the Jets’ offensive snaps in 2025, seems like a fair asking price.”
In August, the Packers acquired Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick. Willis won both starts he made in favor of an injured Jordan Love and appeared in seven games altogether, completing 74.1 percent of pass attempts for 550 yards, three touchdowns and no picks with 138 rushing yards and a rushing TD>
Malik Willis in the game throwing 34 yard darts
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Malik Willis was considered one of the top quarterback prospects in a relatively weak 2022 class, but he wasn’t selected until 86th overall by the Titans. Willis made three starts as a rookie with Ryan Tannehill sidelined, throwing no touchdowns against three interceptions.
The Jets will have their fair share of options in the trade and free agent markets. Will they end up giving Willis the chance to flourish under coach Glenn? Only time will tell.
It was a small sample size in Green Bay, yes, but Willis showed immense improvement compared to what we saw in Music City.
Willis could be another example of how a QB just needs the right coach and system to succeed, as Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold have shown. So don’t be surprised if a QB-needy team gives the former Liberty start the opportunity to start in 2025.
Also Read: Star Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers & Matthew Stafford Expected To Be On Different NFL Teams In 2025
