GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers are going young with their backup quarterback but it will be the Tennessee Titans’ Malik Willis and not one of their recent draft picks.
The Packers have sent a seventh-round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans for Willis, a third-round pick in the 2022 draft, a source confirmed.
ESPN was first to report the trade.
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Willis started three games for the Titans in two years and threw no touchdowns and three interceptions, going 1-2 in those games. He completed 31 of 61 passes for 276 yards.
Willis played better in the preseason this year, completing 20 of 27 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, but he couldn’t beat out Mason Rudolph for the backup position behind recent first-round pick Will Levis.
Malik Willis brings different dynamic to Packers’ QB room
The 6-foot-0 1/2, 219-pound Willis is not a typical quarterback you would associate with coach Matt LaFleur or general manager Brian Gutekunst. Unlike Love, who is 6-4 and comfortable sitting in the pocket, Willis more resembles a Justin Fields or Jalen Hurts because of his size and rushing ability.
Willis has a strong arm like Love, but he’s more prone to run with the ball and the Packers may have to incorporate some read-option into their scheme to get the most out of him. Willis originally went to Auburn but transferred and spent his final two years to Liberty University.
Sean Clifford, Michael Pratt unimpressive in preseason
The Packers are choosing Willis over 2023 fifth-round pick Sean Clifford and 2024 seventh-round pick Michael Pratt.
Combined they led the offense to three touchdowns in 28 series, which is not going to get it done in the regular season. Their individual stats weren’t as important as their ability to move the team.
Pratt has a better arm and averaged more yards per play (4.78 to 3.76) than Clifford. One of his drives ran out the clock and might have led to a score had it occurred earlier in the game, but only once did he get the ball in the end zone. He went scoreless in six possessions against Denver.
Clifford got the ball in the end zone twice and led the team to three field goals (both quarterbacks had one possession that ended with a missed field goal). Clifford was an interception machine in practice but was picked off just once.
One of the two quarterbacks will likely be signed to the practice squad.