Green Bay, Wisconsin – January 2026
Quarterback Malik Willis has quietly become one of the most complicated decisions of the Green Bay Packers’ offseason.
League sources indicate Willis has already declined interest from seven NFL teams and is still waiting to see whether the Green Bay Packers can find a way to keep him — even as the organization faces one of the tightest salary-cap situations in the league.
Willis, whose contract expired after the 2025 season, is one of the most sought-after quarterback free agents entering 2026. His value skyrocketed after a series of strong relief performances last season, including a standout Week 17 showing against Baltimore in which he threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns while keeping Green Bay’s offense fully operational in a high-pressure situation.
Those performances changed how the league views him. Once considered a developmental backup, Willis is now seen as either a high-end QB2 or a potential short-term starter elsewhere.
Multiple teams have checked in, including the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, and even the Minnesota Vikings. Despite that interest, Willis has not committed anywhere — a sign, sources say, that his preference remains Green Bay.
The problem is money. The Packers are projected to be over the 2026 salary cap by roughly $20–33 million, depending on accounting models. Re-signing Willis is expected to cost $8–12 million per year for a premium backup deal, or more if another team views him as starter-capable. Green Bay cannot use the franchise tag, and the organization remains fully committed to Jordan Love as its franchise quarterback.
That leaves the Packers staring at a brutal choice: keep arguably the best backup quarterback in the NFL — or cut key starters elsewhere to make it work.
Internal cap discussions have already centered on several difficult possibilities. League analysts and team observers widely view contracts belonging to Elgton Jenkins, Rashan Gary, and Trevon Diggs as potential levers. Moving on from even one of those players could free enough space to retain Willis — but at the cost of weakening other core areas of the roster.
Coaches value Willis’ chemistry with head coach Matt LaFleur, his ability to run the full offense without adjustment, and the security he provides behind Love, who has dealt with injuries in consecutive seasons. At the same time, front-office leadership understands that paying premium money for a backup quarterback while already over the cap is a dangerous precedent.
For Willis, the waiting continues. He has leverage, interest, and options. But for now, he’s chosen patience — hoping Green Bay decides that stability at quarterback is worth reshaping the rest of the roster.
The Packers’ decision won’t just determine Willis’ future.
It may define how far they’re willing to go to protect their Super Bowl window in 2026.
