After spending two seasons primarily as a backup quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, Malik Willis is positioned to secure a substantial contract during the 2026 free agency period. Despite limited playing time behind starter Jordan Love, Willis showed flashes of high-level playmaking ability when given the chance, making him an attractive candidate among teams searching for quarterback talent ahead of next season.
Impressive Performance Metrics Highlight Willis’s Potential
Willis posted solid statistics while filling in last season: completing 70 of 89 passes for 972 yards, throwing six touchdowns with no interceptions, and achieving a passer rating of 134.6. His average of 10.9 yards per attempt and a 2-1 record as a starter stand out for a backup. Additionally, Willis added 261 rushing yards with three touchdowns, rushing at an average of over six yards per carry. Notably, in relief appearances against the Bears and Ravens during Love’s injuries, Willis delivered strong performances even though the Packers fell short.
Comparable Contracts Suggest a Big Jump in Willis’s Earnings
ESPN analyst Ben Solak explored past quarterback deals to estimate what Willis’s next contract might look like. Two comparable cases emerged: Jimmy Garoppolo’s early career deals with the San Francisco 49ers and Brock Osweiler’s contract with the Broncos and Texans. Osweiler’s 2016 agreement with Houston was a four-year, $72 million deal after seven starts with a 5-2 record. Adjusted for the projected contemporary salary cap near $300 million, a similar contract today would approximate $26 million annually, which Solak suggests aligns well with Willis’s value.
“Osweiler parlayed his seven starts (5-2, pretty average stats) into a four-year, $72 million deal with the Texans in 2016 — a substantial contract at the time,”
Ben Solak writes.
“Osweiler got $18 million per year, which was about 8.6% of the 2016 salary cap. A decade later, with a salary cap projection just over $300 million, a similar deal would cost $26 million per year. This feels like the correct value for Willis.”
Willis’s Current Salary Reveals the Scale of Expected Growth
Last season, Willis earned $1.42 million, including his prorated signing bonus, representing 0.51% of the NFL‘s salary cap. By comparison, Spotrac values his potential next deal around two years for $71 million, though Solak considers that estimate a bit optimistic given recent quarterback contracts. He points out salary ranges seen with other QBs in similar positions to Willis.
“[Justin] Fields made $20 million per year on his two-year contract with the Jets, and [Baker] Mayfield is making $33 million per year in Tampa Bay. That $13 million difference between the two feels like the sweet spot for Willis.”
Ben Solak
The Road Ahead for Willis and His Growing Market
This potential pay raise represents a remarkable turnaround for Willis, who at one point appeared unlikely to secure long-term NFL success following a disappointing tenure with the Tennessee Titans. Now, his demonstrated capabilities in Green Bay have positioned him for a lucrative payday among the quarterback market’s most sought-after free agents. The size of this contract increase could significantly alter Willis’s career trajectory and impact the teams competing for his services.
