The composition of an NFL roster can shift quickly. There has been much speculation about whether the Packers’ backup quarterback is already on the team roster. The Packers unequivocally stated their position on Monday: the answer is no. In a surprise trade, the Titans would send Malik Willis to the Packers in exchange for a 2025 7th-round pick. The roster status of Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt now remains uncertain.
A Lack of Confidence: Matt LaFleur’s Comments from Saturday
“Are you good enough at the number two quarterback to win a game or two if you need it?” A reporter asked Matt LaFleur this question after Saturday’s preseason game. LaFleur seemed to be lacking confidence in the position’s depth. “We’ll see, it is similar to the kicking competition. There were a lot of good moments, and things that absolutely have to be better. We will evaluate everything that’s out there for us.”
The phrase “we will evaluate everything that’s out there for us” signals the direction the Packers were taking. To evaluate thoroughly, the team considers the sample size provided by Clifford and Pratt during the training camp and preseason. If the sample size is unsatisfactory, they will make calls to teams to trade for a backup quarterback.
The training camp and preseason performances of Clifford and Pratt were lackluster. Just as it seemed one of them was securing the job, a costly mistake would occur. In a game against the Broncos, Clifford, while attempting to execute a play, continued to backpedal and did not get rid of the ball. This resulted in a sack that lost massive yardage. The offense consistently appeared out of sync with Clifford at quarterback. Miscommunications, fumbled exchanges, and turnovers made it difficult to watch.
Pratt has shown a higher upside than Clifford. He was performing well in the game against the Ravens, completing an impressive pass to Bo Melton. Then occurred the rookie error, a glaring interception. The situation worsened when Pratt attempted a tackle and collided with the defender, which completely knocked the wind out of him. While I appreciate Pratt’s willingness to make a play, risking injury is not a wise decision. With the performances of Clifford and Pratt, the Packers were heading in a different direction.
Malik Willis: Quarterback Two
Malik Willis was projected by many to be a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft. Willis fell all the way to the middle of the third round, selected by the Tennessee Titans. The Titans were coming off of a very successful season, going 12-5 and falling to the Bengals in the divisional round of the playoffs.
However, the 2022 Titans season did not live up to expectations. Malik Willis made his debut after Ryan Tannehill was benched during the week two game against the Buffalo Bills. The Titans suffered a heavy defeat in the game, with a final score of 41-7. Willis attempted only four passes and rushed for just 16 yards. Willis started in consecutive games in weeks eight and nine. However, by week seventeen, he had been benched in favor of Josh Dobbs.
The question remains, what is the benefit of having Willis as quarterback two on this roster, instead of Clifford or Pratt? To begin with, Willis possesses NFL starting experience, which is extremely valuable. Although his performances may not have been outstanding, the experience he has gained cannot be overlooked. Moreover, Willis’s exceptional talent and athletic profile are undeniable.
Certainly, Willis is not without flaws. His shortcomings include failing to complete straightforward, on-time throws, lacking field awareness, and needing to refine his throwing mechanics. Nevertheless, his preseason performance has been quite impressive. He achieved a 20/27 pass completion rate, with a huge upside of also rushing for 101 yards. Getting Willis in the quarterback room with Tom Clements as a coordinator, Jordan Love as his teammate and Matt LaFleur as his coach will be a huge boost overall.
