Cory's Corner: Have A Backup Plan
Malik Willis opened a lot of eyes last year and the Packers should reward him as the team's insurance policy.
What’s it going to take to keep Malik Willis in Green Bay?
Not many NFL general managers ask that question about their backup quarterback.
But Willis proved to be an integral member of the Packers’ offense. He started two games — won them both — and completed 74 percent of his passes without throwing a pick in 2024.
He is a free agent after 2025, a year in which his cap hit is a tiny $1.4 million. Nobody thought Willis would have appeared in seven games, but Green Bay’s offense didn’t really take a step back. In fact, when Willis was in, it became more dynamic. He ran for 138 yards, including six first downs.
With the regular season 17 games now, teams have to have a solid backup plan. And, obviously, if Willis has a solid year in 2025, teams would probably be willing to give the 25-year-old a shot to start.
Which is why the Packers should give him a three-year deal now. He’s proven that he can be a solid quarterback when called upon at the 11th hour and he’s earned the trust of the team for keeping the train on the tracks if Jordan Love goes down with an injury.
Backup quarterbacks used to be the guy with the clipboard that you barely saw wear a helmet. Now, backups are not just important, they are necessary. And with a dynamic backup, packages can be inserted for the backup that aren’t in place for the starter — things like an option play or maybe even a Wildcat.
I’m expecting a bounce back year for Love in 2025, but at the same time, the Packers need an insurance policy. Just as the Packers have beefed up their offensive line to keep Love upright, in the event if Love does in fact get injured, the Packers need to have an answer.
The Packers cannot afford to lose two or three games when Love is out. That could mean the difference between hosting a playoff game and going deep in the playoffs or just squeaking into the playoffs.
The Packers are good enough to be amazing. The question is, are they willing to invest in a quality backup that has proven to win games or are they OK with being great at starter and just OK at backup?
It should be obvious. The Packers are on the doorstep. This is when you cannot leave any stone unturned.
It’s easy to overlook the backup quarterback position, but as attrition becomes more and more important, it is no longer just a want, but a need.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (60)
NickPerry
April 01, 2025 at 07:27 am
Willis was the first backup QB I had faith in since Matt Flynn. He was amazing against Tennessee and Indy and when he relieved Love against Jacksonville I KNEW he's bring us back for the win and he did. I haven't had that confident feeling in years.
Signing Willis to a extension of some kind isn't a bad idea. The question is what does Gutey think? Last season Willis was 40 of 54 for 550 yards, 3 TDs and a 124.8 QB rating, and another 138 yards running the ball...Not to shabby.
Clifford or any other backup the Packers have had in GB since our last SB win didn't/couldn't do that. My God, do we remember Seneca Wallace? Brett Hudley? Any of the other yahoos the Packers had?
Yes please to a deal with Willis!
Oppy
April 01, 2025 at 08:10 am
All of the prior backup QBs were being asked to be a full-fledged QB and run the full offense without having a watered-down playbook with hand-selected plays that emphasized their strengths and hid their weaknesses, so it's not really an apples-to-apples comparison.
I think Willis has elite arm strength and mobility. He's not a player who has shown he can execute an NFL passing offense. MLF has done an exceptional job of customizing his offense to put Willis in charge of an option offense with what amounts to a single-read passing attack, and obviously, Willis has excelled within those parameters.
Teams typically want a back up QB to be able to step in and execute the offense without having to alter the game plan. Willis is not equipped to do that, he needs to be put in special circumstances to be effective. For that reason, I would not sink any significant money into keeping him. If Willis is willing to extend and stick around GB for a reasonable salary, I'm all for it, however, I would be looking for a younger QB who shows the aptitude and potential to run a full fledged pro style passing attack to attempt to develop.
TOMMY'63
April 01, 2025 at 01:39 pm
Anyone remember Seneca, 2013 when arod fractured the clavicula? Thank ol tt and fat Mike without having thought if arod went down, yeah old tt,best nfl gm ,the nfl ever had, oh Please!
Leatherhead
April 02, 2025 at 10:12 am
Didnt' we make the playoffs that year, even with Rodgers and Cobb missing a huge part of the season? How many other teams could manage that?
Bitternotsour
April 01, 2025 at 06:48 pm
You really hang on to that Willis slander. Success isn't enough, you're like Bob McGinn lamenting winning the super bowl the wrong way.
You were wrong. Willis is an NFL quarterback, and a winner besides.
Oppy
April 01, 2025 at 07:17 pm
I'm not wrong, and as I've said before, you'll have to wait and learn the hard way. Willis isn't an NFL starting QB. He can't work through progressions. You want a limited wildcat or option QB who can only reliably see the first read? That's Willis. I can't help you understand how to assess QB play, so you'll just have to wait and see how his career turns out.
Houndog
April 02, 2025 at 09:42 am
C'mon Oppy,
"Willis isn't an NFL starting QB"? Maybe not, but,
In their early years, niether was;
Baker Mayfield,
Sam Darnold
Kirk Cousins
Or
Jordan Love
And, Jalen Hurts sucked his first 2 years!
With a little time and thought we could name a dozen more, easily!
Oppy
April 01, 2025 at 07:28 pm
By the way, Bitter, it's not slander if it's true.. and trust me when I say that there's 30 NFL front offices who see it, too.
Bitternotsour
April 01, 2025 at 08:36 pm
Gosh. 40-54 as an NFL QB. 10.8 yards per attempt. 3TDs - 0 Ints, 124.8 qb rating. he just flat can't play quarterback except he does. He's on an NFL roster, he seems to be rated highly in this particular NFL locker room. but sure, he'll never cut it on a real nfl roster as a quarterback, I'm glad you clarified that for me.
Oppy
April 02, 2025 at 03:41 am
If I hand you a paint by numbers kit and you successfully apply the pre-selected paints included in the kit to the numbered areas correctly as instructed, that doesn't mean you're capable of being a professional portrait artist.
You don't understand the position apparently, so I can't help you understand how fundamentally important it is for a QB to be able to go through reads.
BTW, in the 2 NFL games Willis started (vs. Titans and Colts) the run-pass ratio of those games was 25 pass plays, 90 run plays. closing in on 4-to-1 run/pass ratio. In the season finale vs. the Bears, where Malik came in after Love was banged up, Malik had 13 pass attempts out of 44 snaps.. nearly 3:1 run/pass ratio. In a league where almost all QBs are asked to throw the ball 65% of the time, this run-dominant play selection is an absolute anomaly and there is a reason why MLF did not ask Willis to throw the ball at anywhere near normal rates.
Bitternotsour
April 02, 2025 at 11:20 am
success is the metric. you can't seem to process that. willis is doing it wrong in your world. whatever.
murf7777
April 02, 2025 at 07:21 am
I agree with Oppy on this…..I think Willis is a good back up QB, one where the OC has to put special type of plays for him to run. IF he were to play the starter position for a whole year, I suspect he would fail.
murf7777
April 01, 2025 at 08:38 am
Nick, it isn’t going to happen. Certainly, not in the salary cap era. Willis and his agent will want to test the market and GB isn’t going to be willing to give anywhere near starter money when they are paying Love as the top 3 or so QB in the NFL.
They obtained Flynn by the draft. I’m hoping Gutey takes one from Wolf’s book. Wolf continually drafted QB’s even though he had Favre. The ones who became a successful backup and there were quite a few, they traded them for draft capital.
TOMMY'63
April 01, 2025 at 01:51 pm
Maybe willis is the better of the two, the blackmailer and shyster has alot to prove in2025,has to elinamate the picks,improve accuracy, avoid hero ball and throwing off back foot. One thing is certain he fucked over fo and front office pissed in their nappies and gave the shyster$$$$ he didn't merit. We'll see at years end what he accomplice!!
LLCHESTY
April 01, 2025 at 02:31 pm
Awww, is you all bitched up today. Did someone crap in your Cheerios?
Oppy
April 01, 2025 at 07:29 pm
If the answer is no, I will volunteer.
beerandbrats
April 01, 2025 at 02:44 pm
Stop drinking and go to a meeting.
13TimeChamps
April 01, 2025 at 03:33 pm
We all hope he can elinamate the picks. Then we'll see what he accomplice!!
Yikes!
T7Steve
April 01, 2025 at 07:30 am
They should try to sign him now, but would he or his agent be willing to when they know he can start somewhere? If they can't extend him, should they try to trade him to someone like Pittsburg? It could be an amazing trade package for a QB starved team looking for options that are running out.
"That could mean the difference between hosting a playoff game and going deep in the playoffs or just squeaking into the playoffs."
Willis played well last season, and we still only "squeaked" into the playoffs. Worry about the starting units. This team needs to improve a bunch to keep up with the Jones's of the NFC not to mention trying to do better than 3rd in the North. Improve the offense √, improve the D √, improve special teams √. They made improvements or at least solidified each phase (like resigning the kicker) now get better. We had the 6th rated D last season and didn't win a playoff game. Can't settle. IMPROVE!
Guam
April 01, 2025 at 07:48 am
"...... but would he or his agent be willing to when they know he can start somewhere?"
Great observation T7Steve and that is the key question isn't it. I'm sure the Packers would like to keep Willis on a backup QB contract but Willis is probably good enough to start somewhere else. Every player wants to play and I suspect Willis wants his shot at starting. As much as there is great value in keeping him the Packers are probably going to have to trade him or lose him after this season.
dobber
April 01, 2025 at 07:59 am
Cory: "Which is why the Packers should give him a three-year deal now. "
Sometimes I think you're intentionally writing stuff to start conversation. Sometimes I think you're just putting stuff in print to beat a deadline. Mostly I think you're just not all there.
"They should try to sign him now, but would he or his agent be willing to when they know he can start somewhere?"
That's exactly the issue. When you extend someone, you're buying out their ability to test the market. That means the offer you give has to be at least competitive (in the eye of the signee) with what they can do if the they shop around. That means that an extension would be buying out his ability to sign a contract commensurate with someone at least at low-starter level...that's too much additional money to throw at the QB position.
Willis and his people know he can be a backup...like Doug Pederson or Matt Flynn, he can take his shot and return to a backup role if he fails. He's 25. He's hitting his prime and there's a little bit of shine on that apple right now. At this stage, I'd be more concerned if he were content to just be a backup and not have the drive to be the man somewhere.
If you're the Packers, you need to ask whether you believe in 10 or not? Inking Willis to a contract extension that keeps him in GB breeds a QB controversy. If you do believe in 10, then you can ride out Willis' contract and get a comp pick, or deal him for draft capital if the right deal comes along. Right now, that last year on his rookie deal might look awfully appealing to a team struggling with meh QB play. If you're uncertain on 10, then you gotta look long at hard at the other guy in-house.
Whatever the case, you draft a traitsy developmental QB late in a few weeks.
Coldworld
April 01, 2025 at 08:24 am
Well put Dobber.
If I were Willis’ people, I’d value him not testing the market next year as a lower end starter. That may or may not have been proven in a full NFL offense, but was that Willis’ failings? Or was it LaFleur not loosening the reins? His people would argue he stepped up to the extent allowed and very successfully.
He has nothing to gain from a new contract unless he really doesn’t believe he can justify starting. If that were the case then he’s not the person we seem to think he is or that he’s shown every sign of being. Yes, I’d love to extend him were I Gute, but it’s not just up to me.
It’s also possible that Willis yet becomes a target this year as injuries occur. The QB market is getting threadbare, partly because there’s not a lot coming in the draft this year. Willis’ current contract maximizes his chances of being attractive in such a scenario. He’s not going to waive that unless we pay him at a starter level (and maybe not then if he backs himself).
Even a low grade starter contract would be significant for cap purposes, this year, and by eating into carryover into next year when we have more of a squeeze. He’s not going to agree to back load it as that would deter other teams rolling the die on him.
murf7777
April 01, 2025 at 08:28 am
Dobber, Quit being so logical.
ricky
April 01, 2025 at 07:42 am
Until we hear what Willis is asking to stay with the Packers, we can't make an informed decision. And it's not as if other teams will sit by idly while if he does hit free agency. This is one reason why the GM and Russ Ball get their money. They're the ones who have to figure out the cost/benefit ratio in re-signing Willis. And if they do, who will they lose?
fireball
April 01, 2025 at 07:54 am
If the Packers can get Willis for 3 years, get 'em! He might be the answer to replace Love if Love doesn't pan out. . . as I'm still not convinced that Love is franchise worthy.
jannesbjornson
April 01, 2025 at 09:42 am
Bring in a Veteran backup when Willis departs, as the Queens do every year. Their methodology seems to work.
Willis should be incorporated into the Game Plans a bit more, just to keep the defenses guessing.
LambeauPlain
April 01, 2025 at 08:14 am
Justin Fields has a 14-30 four year NFL career...was the Steelers backup last season playing in the last year of his 4 year rookie $19 mil K.
Had had a 4-2 record with the Steelers last year. He has agreed to a 2 year $40 mil K with the Jets for 2025.
Even if the Packers offered Willis a 3 year deal $15 mil K, why would he accept that? He could earn A LOT more than that in free agency in 2026.
I don't even know if Willis would stay in Green Bay for a 3 year $30 million deal. The average for an NFL starting QB is $10 mil/year...NOW. What is it going to be in 2026 when he hits free agency?
Would the Packers pay $10 mil/year for a player who rarely plays? What about the 11 Packer 2026 free agents who start or play significant snaps as backups?
I don't see a multiyear backup contract for Willis as much as I'd like him to be a Packer after this season.
murf7777
April 01, 2025 at 08:20 am
“Backup quarterbacks used to be the guy with the clipboard that you barely saw wear a helmet. Now, backups are not just important, they are necessary.“
I don’t get your logic here…..Of course, if you had Brett Favre then it might make some sense, but every team needs a back up in the 90’s just like they do now. Even though Wolf had Favre, he knew the importance of a Back up QB because most every draft he drafted a QB.
Regarding signing Willis…..I think the main problem will be the amount he will want and with Love getting around 50+M per year, you cannot afford much more without allocated too much to that one position. IMO, it won’t happen so draft your QB in day 3 this year.
LeotisHarris
April 01, 2025 at 08:26 am
When a team is good enough to be amazing and on the doorstep, that is when you cannot leave any stone unturned. To quote former VP Dan Quayle, "the future will be better tomorrow."
T7Steve
April 01, 2025 at 08:59 am
Did you make that up or is that really an unexpected Dan Quayle quote? If it's actually a quote, how did you dredge that out of your memory? Do you have lists of famous (or not so famous) quotes?
LeotisHarris
April 01, 2025 at 10:17 am
The quote is legit. Somehow, Cory's heavier-than-usual lean into cliches made it surface.
I think Quayle's best was "what a waste it is to lose one's mind, or not to have a mind. How true that is" in a speech to the United Negro College Fund, whose slogan is ‘a mind is a terrible thing to waste’.
LLCHESTY
April 01, 2025 at 02:37 pm
In the scheme of things that quote is a small potatoe.
LambeauPlain
April 01, 2025 at 10:13 am
And to quote former VP Kamala Harris and her unturned stones: "After all, today is yesterday's tomorrow."
Coldworld
April 01, 2025 at 12:31 pm
“I've now been in 57 states—I think one left to go.”
Barack Obama.
“White people don't know what it means to be poor.”
Bernie Sanders
“Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child.”
Dan Quayle
That should encompass all 3 political parties, but remember, there’s nobody dumber than the people that keep giving these titans a soap box to pontificate from.
LeotisHarris
April 01, 2025 at 02:10 pm
Those are Uriah Heep lyrics from 1972. Where's my boy TK to represent?
LLCHESTY
April 01, 2025 at 02:42 pm
I think you mean UFO and it was 1974.
Doctor doctor please
My todays are yesterday's tomorrow
Doctor doctor please
Dontcha know they're going fast.
Or something like that.
LeotisHarris
April 01, 2025 at 04:06 pm
Nope, Uriah Heep. Circle of Hands from the Demons and Wizards Lp.
Played the snot out of Lights Out in 77 though. Haven't thought about either band in years.
Since'61
April 01, 2025 at 08:53 am
While I would like for the Packers to be able to extend Willis I just don't think that Willis or his agent will want to take him off the market at this point. Why would they? Plus the Packers are going to need cap space for 2026 given the number of free agents they will have at the end of 2025. Thanks, Since '61
NFLfan
April 01, 2025 at 09:09 am
He deserves to test the market but I secretly want to do what it takes to keep him.
rajahking
April 01, 2025 at 09:24 am
Yeah of course but you think his agent is going to let him sign a backup deal when he can test the waters next year?
BuckyBadger
April 01, 2025 at 09:24 am
I think people are overrating Willis here big time. He was 2-0 yes but he played the Titans and Colts. The Titans couldn't play lick of defense and vs the Colts they only passed the ball 14 times to 53 runs. He isn't a good passer at all and if you play a team that can score back you are in real trouble. I think the Titans gave the Packers more points then they did themselves.
No reason to wrap this guy up for years to come. You might have a better option fall in your lap and I don't think GMs are fooled by two decent starts vs the bottom of the league. He is still the same QB nobody wanted a year ago. No one is going to make him a starter and just because you won two games where the team leaned on the run game doesn't make you a top back up.
dobber
April 01, 2025 at 10:22 am
"I think people are overrating Willis here big time."
Very possibly true: the sample is pretty limited...very Matt Flynn like. He was a backup several years and didn't do very much until two games in 2010 and one in 2012. One was a blowup game v. Detroit. That landed him a contract with Seattle with a chance to start, and he was promptly beaten out by Russell Wilson.
Coldworld
April 01, 2025 at 11:39 am
His elbow flared up that preseason I believe. I think it had possibly been a background concern before that, but it became obvious quickly in Seattle. Certainly he never fully recovered his arm strength to the level seen in that game.
TarynsEyes
April 01, 2025 at 09:31 am
"The Packers are good enough to be amazing".
Nothing they've done has been near amazing.
It's amazing that they didn't get swept in the Division, but is it really.
"It should be obvious. The Packers are on the doorstep. This is when you cannot leave any stone unturned".
It is obvious, but the doorstep isn't to the SB, but likely missing the playoffs, and yes, every stone needs to be over-tuned in search of who and what will stop the decline as many other teams improve faster than them.
The Packers are no longer the favorite to win the Division, which was the guarantee for them. Now they have to fight for the wildcards spot, and it is a fight.
In fact, I believe that if GB misses the playoffs, or gets booted again quickly in them, the door and window on the Love years could be near nailed shut. One can only say 'next year' so many times before a decade has passed. 6 years with Love, and rookie QB's are looking and playing better, and getting further in the playoffs. Whatever the reason for such, talent, ability, HC, scheme, roster, the Packers seem to be mired in something.
T7Steve
April 01, 2025 at 09:48 am
Haven't we been saying "next year" since the last SB we won?
TarynsEyes
April 01, 2025 at 09:59 am
Yes, we have, and that's when they were Division Champs year after year, but it doesn't ring the same anymore, it has more of a hollow sound to it.
Coldworld
April 01, 2025 at 10:00 am
I don’t think Love would be the first casualty in that scenario, though he might be an eventual one. The road runs out for Coaches and GMs in the end if the results don’t come. One, perhaps both at the same time.
Then the heat is on the remaining people to show a turn around. A QB on a big contract who hasn’t hit the heights or bombed is likely to be given a chance at redemption under the new and improved leadership then in place.
NFLfan
April 01, 2025 at 10:04 am
@CW-the problem is 'no one applies the heat' --
TarynsEyes
April 01, 2025 at 10:40 am
"I don’t think Love would be the first casualty in that scenario, though he might be an eventual one".
Yes, and then GB becomes Dallas with Prescott, overpaying another contract for what becomes mediocrity with a glass of hope filled by denial.
I said before, I understood why GB gave Love that deal, but I never believed he was worth it, and his inconsistency isn't disappearing, and that means it's simply going to be a constant.
Maybe, this changes, but in order for the others to grow, so does he, more so.
TOMMY'63
April 01, 2025 at 02:18 pm
So true taken, the lions are among the strongest in the league, don't know about minny with mc carthy,didn't play last year, the bears have improved, maybe 3rd or last place in devision next season, we're not good enough to win sb or to make the sb,we don't have the talents to go far.
LLCHESTY
April 01, 2025 at 02:46 pm
I think they can devise a way to make the playoffs again.
murf7777
April 02, 2025 at 07:32 am
Nobody would say that about Love the last 9 games of the 23 season. IMO, his injuries got the best of him. I think he will still be a very good QB, in the top 5 or so. That said, we will find out this year if you or me is right.
NFLfan
April 01, 2025 at 10:00 am
I have seen nothing of significance on the Packer's Offense this offseason; no new Offensive blood to augment MLF's play-calling, no removal of 'meh' position coaches, no real improvement in WR room, no serious outreach to find the best person to coach the $55Million man (who needs to establish discipline w/his footwork, decision-making, accuracy). 'The gang's all back' --meanwhile top NFL teams are firing, hiring and refining.
beerandbrats
April 01, 2025 at 04:10 pm
I saw the LA Rams give away all of their draft picks to put together that SB winning team a couple of years ago. And now they are right back in the thick of things.
The iggles made it to the SB a couple of years ago with a stifling defense. They fired a lot of people, including coaches and players, reloaded and then won the SB.
What have we been doing these past few years to build a championship roster? Kinda feels like we are running in place?
beerandbrats
April 01, 2025 at 12:09 pm
Willis is even more valuable right now because of the weak QB class in the upcoming draft. I hope we can extend him but it would be hard to turn down a good trade offer...
TarynsEyes
April 01, 2025 at 01:40 pm
The more you find yourself needing to pay a backup QB, and not just as a short term fill-in, the more you need to realize the lacking of your starting QB. The more you pay for a backup, the more you're creating competition, and competition, though good, can also ruin when brought about for the wrong reasons. Does Love need legit competition, if so, they have a real problem coming into focus.
stockholder
April 01, 2025 at 03:00 pm
No - Cory-
He's not the back-up plan.
We lost against the Bears.
The game Watson went down.
Malik Willis best game was against Tenn.
And guess who his leading WR was.
If you guessed Watson your right!
There is No back-up plan for him.
He is the difference maker on this team.
Until Gute realizes he needs Watson.
This team will play like the Bears.
the_gavia_pass
April 01, 2025 at 03:14 pm
malik willis was nearly unstoppable and much better than love (more and more a bust).
my concern is that he was something new, DC could not adapt. and lafleur is really good at the beginning of something new. but when DC start to adapt lafleur is not able to change something. that happened with love, forst year good second year bad. malik willis could also have a regression in year 2 with packers.
EnemyTerritory
April 01, 2025 at 09:03 pm
Willis was 2-0 as a starter against teams that went a combined 11-23. He was 1-0 in relief against the 4-13 Jaguars. His total passing line is 40/54/550 with 3 TD. Hardly unstoppable.
Love is far from bust at this point. In 2024 he had 179 fewer passing yards than Jayden Daniel’s, threw the same number of TDs and two more picks, in two fewer games.
the_gavia_pass
April 02, 2025 at 02:53 am
you better start watching the games not the stats. and if you look stats look at whole picture not just the stats you need. daniels is a dual threat, love is a half threat.
Daniels impact was powerful, he carried the team.
Love was carried by the team. WRs and TDs had to make miracles to catch erratic throws.
but you like to dream on nothing in green bay, reality is just an option.