Packers named top landing spot for $180 million Pro Bowler released by Falcons

As expected, the Green Bay Packers didn’t retain 26-year-old quarterback Malik Willis in free agency. 

The former third-round pick showed enough promise in 2025-26 to help him land a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins last Thursday. 

Willis’ offseason departure makes it pivotal for Green Bay to find a reliable No. 2 QB as soon as possible and give them confidence at the position entering the 2026-27 season.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the Packers are an ideal landing spot for a four-time Pro Bowl signal-caller whom the Atlanta Hawks released earlier this offseason.

“The Packers need a backup quarterback after losing Malik Willis to the Dolphins in free agency,” Barnwell wrote last Friday. “They run play-action at one of the highest rates in the league under Matt LaFleur.”

“Jordan Love has missed two games to injury in each of the past two years, so the Packers have to be conscious of their need to have a backup they trust if Love can't go. While LaFleur might try to find value with another prospect in the same way the Packers once did when they traded for Willis, Cousins would be a solid option as the backup behind Love in 2026.”

As far as backup quarterbacks go, Cousins is among the best low-risk options available. The Michigan State product has 174 NFL games under his belt and is a proven QB with some juice left in the tank. 

While on a downward spiral, Cousins is only four seasons from a season in which he recorded 4,221 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions in 16 games with the Minnesota Vikings. 

Love isn't super injury-prone at this stage of his career, but adding Cousins to the equation would give Green Bay an established 37-year-old quarterback who wouldn’t be the worst option to turn to if Love endures an unfortunate upper or lower body setback.

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