Packers' Malik Willis gets $44 million contract update with NFC prediction

Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) high-fives fans after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

Malik Willis will remain a hot topic at least a little longer.

When free agency opens, it may not take long for the Green Bay Packers' free agent quarterback to find a new home, and likely for a solidly paying contract.

ESPN's Dan Graziano provided a new prediction on Friday: He thinks Willis will get a two-year, $44 million contract.

And he thinks it'll come from the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals are getting rid of Kyler Murray, so they need a new QB. Willis could be that guy.

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He was solid each time he was called upon to fill in for Jordan Love in Green Bay. And in a free agent QB class devoid of other upside, Willis is the guy who could be a legitimately high-level starter.

"This would represent a $1 million-per-year improvement over the contract Justin Fields signed with the Jets last year," Graziano writes. "That deal paid Fields $20 million guaranteed in 2025 and guarantees $10 million of his $20 million salary in 2026. Willis doesn't have nearly as much NFL game experience as Fields did this time last year, but he has better vibes around him than Fields did after his Pittsburgh benching and could have multiple teams interested. Willis has six career starts, including one last season, and he has thrown six TD passes to zero interceptions over the past two years (along with three rushing scores)."

There hasn't been a ton of success with these kind of quarterbacks who sign after so few starts. Guys like Brock Osweiler and Kevin Kolb didn't work out in this mold.

Willis does appear to have really grown his game in Green Bay after leaving the Titans, so maybe he's a different case. He's also got tantalizing mobility skills.

Regardless of risk, Willis is going to get paid by someone. It may be the Cardinals.

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