Malik Willis will be among the most-watched players when NFL free agency opens on Wednesday, March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. After two seasons backing up Jordan Love in Green Bay, Willis posted a 134.6 passer rating, completed 78.7 percent of his passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions, while adding 241 rushing yards and three scores on 42 carries. His earlier stint as a young starter with Tennessee was far less productive (49.4 passer rating, 53 percent completion, 0:3 TD-to-INT across 11 games), but tape from 2024–25 shows a markedly different, more composed performer. This piece assesses three teams that could suit his skill set and highlights five under-the-radar free agents who could change markets in 2026.
Key takeaways
- Willis finished his Packers tenure (2024–25) with a 134.6 passer rating, 78.7% completion, 972 passing yards and six TDs with no interceptions; he added 241 rushing yards on 42 carries (6.2 ypc) and three rushing TDs.
- His early years as a starter in Tennessee produced a combined 49.4 passer rating and a 0:3 TD-to-INT rate over 11 games, a contrast that underscores significant improvement in Green Bay.
- Free agency opens March 11 at 4 p.m. ET; Willis ranks atop Gregg Rosenthal’s Top 101 free agents for 2026, making him a focal point of the quarterback market.
- Three teams emerging as strong fits: Arizona (Mike LaFleur, GM Monti Ossenfort), Miami (GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, HC Jeff Hafley) and Pittsburgh (coaching stability under Mike McCarthy).
- Five sleepers to monitor: Edge Chassion (age 27), TE Likely (26), WR Jennings (29), LB Bush (28) and RB Allgeier (26) — each offers clear production markers and positional demand.
- Chassion has 12.5 sacks, 26 QB hits and three forced fumbles since 2024 and produced three sacks, 10 QB hits and a forced fumble during the Patriots’ run to Super Bowl LX in 2025.
- Likely (6-4, 245) has 15 career touchdowns and 75 first downs in 63 games but was limited in 2025 (307 yards, one TD on 27 catches); rising usage of 12/13 personnel boosts his upside.
- Allgeier, entering Year 5, was a 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie in 2022 and projects as an RB1 candidate given his contact balance and past workload capability.
Background
Willis arrived in the NFL as a third-round pick and initially struggled as an early starter for the Tennessee Titans, producing an underwhelming completion rate and a 0:3 TD-to-INT split across 11 games. That difficult introduction led many observers to label him a bust, a reputation he has since worked to overturn. A change of scenery — a backup role behind Jordan Love in Green Bay — allowed Willis to develop without the pressure of starting every week and to refine decision-making and accuracy.
The modern QB market values mobility combined with efficient passing, and Willis now offers both traits. Teams that can pair scheme-friendly play-calling with weapons on the perimeter and in the receiving corps will view his dual-threat profile as an immediate upgrade. At the same time, the compensation question matters: committing long-term, high-dollar money to a player with six career starts is a major front-office decision that will hinge on both medical and film evaluation.
Main event: Three team fits
Arizona: The Cardinals could be an attractive landing spot if new coach Mike LaFleur implements a system similar to what his brother ran in Green Bay, one that encourages fast reads and quarterback mobility. Arizona’s receiving corps — including Trey McBride, Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. — provides a young, prototypical skill group that could benefit from a dynamic QB who can stress defenses both in the pocket and on the perimeter. The familiarity between Willis and GM Monti Ossenfort (Ossenfort was Tennessee’s director of player personnel when Willis was drafted) reduces the onboarding friction, and the Cardinals are openly searching for a long-term option to replace Kyler Murray.
Miami: The Dolphins’ new decision-makers — GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley — both spent time in Green Bay while Willis was there, which could ease a transition to QB1 in South Florida. Hafley’s knowledge of Willis from practice-room interactions, plus the front office’s firsthand evaluation of his traits, would allow Miami to design a supporting roster and playbook that accentuate mobility and play-action strengths. With the franchise moving on from Tua Tagovailoa and committing to a rebuild, Miami could offer Willis a clearer path to early reps alongside coaches who already understand his upside and limitations.
Pittsburgh: If the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers do not reunite for 2026, Pittsburgh’s organizational stability and Mike McCarthy’s quarterback-developing track record make the franchise a logical fit. McCarthy has overseen the growth of high-profile passers and could shepherd Willis from a game-manager role to a more consistent playmaker. Additionally, the offensive personnel outlook — presented here as a potential centerpiece in the receiving corps — suggests the team could accelerate scoring if Willis and the play-caller establish strong chemistry.
Analysis & implications
From a risk-reward perspective, Willis is a classic case: limited starting experience and a mixed early resume versus demonstrable improvement over his most recent two seasons. Teams must weigh whether his 2024–25 production reflects a true developmental leap or a small-sample hot streak aided by scheme and surrounding talent. Contract structure will be key; short-term, team-friendly deals with performance escalators are likeliest to bridge the gap between hope and certainty.
Willis’ mobility changes play-calling dynamics. Defenses must account for his designed runs and scramble ability, which can open intermediate routes and create additional yards after catch for receivers. That skill set pairs especially well with offenses that stress quick reads, play-action and pre-snap motion — systems that limit exposure to poor mechanics while leveraging his athleticism. Conversely, teams that rely heavily on vertical timing routes and strict pocket mechanics will need to adjust their philosophy or invest heavily in protection and timing drills.
Should Willis land with a franchise willing to tailor its offense, the broader QB market will notice: teams may prefer a lower-cost mobile starter over paying premium for marginally better pocket passers. That could push the league toward a more diverse set of starting-QB profiles and influence decision-making in both free agency and the 2026 draft. For the Cardinals, Dolphins or Steelers, the window to take advantage of Willis’ particular blend of traits would be in the near term; missed opportunities may prompt those clubs to chase veterans instead.
Comparison & data
| Player | Pos | Age | Notable 2024–25 mark | Rosenthal Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malik Willis | QB | — | 134.6 passer rating (Green Bay, 2024–25) | Top of list |
| Chassion | Edge | 27 | 12.5 sacks, 26 QB hits (since 2024) | 31 |
| Likely | TE | 26 | 307 yards, 1 TD (2025) | 17 |
| Jennings | WR | 29 | 132 catches, 1,618 yards, 15 TDs (last 2 seasons) | 43 |
| Bush | LB | 28 | 125 tackles, 3 INTs (2025) | 69 |
| Allgeier | RB | 26 | 1,000-yard rookie season (2022) | 98 |
The table condenses recent production and Rosenthal’s placement to help compare upside and market value. Willis’ passer rating and error-free 2024–25 passing line contrast sharply with his early Tennessee numbers; the sleepers listed show defined roles and stat profiles that make them appealing low-cost additions or starters for the right schemes.
Reactions & quotes
Industry observers have already placed Willis near the center of the 2026 free-agent conversation; that attention is reflected in national rankings and team-level scouting notes.
“Willis will be a compelling figure to track as he moves through free agency.”
NFL analyst Bucky Brooks / NFL.com (media)
That assessment captures why teams are conducting deep due diligence on his mechanics and decision-making. Analysts note the contrast between his Green Bay productivity and his early struggles in Tennessee; front offices will try to determine which version is predictive of future play.
“He sits atop Gregg Rosenthal’s list of 101 best free agents for 2026, which guarantees a long list of suitors and heavy market attention.”
Gregg Rosenthal / NFL reporting (media)
Placement at the top of public rankings raises Willis’ profile and may accelerate contract discussions as teams aim to avoid bidding wars or missing an opportunity to secure a developmental starter at quarterback.
Unconfirmed
- Exact contract terms teams will offer Willis remain unknown and may differ widely depending on guaranteed money and duration.
- Reports about Aaron Rodgers’ potential reunion with the Steelers are unresolved and could change Pittsburgh’s quarterback priorities.
- Medical reviews and private-meeting impressions of Willis and the highlighted sleepers have not been publicly disclosed.
Bottom line
Malik Willis presents a high-upside, high-variance free-agent case: a recent, efficiency-driven phase in Green Bay that contrasts with early-career struggles in Tennessee. Teams that can architect offenses which mask remaining flaws while leveraging his mobility are most likely to unlock his ceiling. Arizona, Miami and Pittsburgh each offer plausible paths to early success for different reasons — familiarity with staff, schematic fit, or developmental track records — and each will evaluate cost against projected growth.
The five sleepers named here represent targeted, cost-efficient pickups who could outperform market expectations if matched to the right systems. As free agency unfolds on March 11, expect Willis’ market to set a tone for quarterback valuations and for several mid-tier veterans to receive interest from clubs seeking immediate, affordable upgrades.