Packers Surprisingly Acquire Young Quarterback in Trade With AFC Squad

The Green Bay Packers are acquiring quarterback Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans in a trade, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

More News: Texans Wide Receiver Drawing Major Trade Interest

The Packers are sending a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Titans in exchange for the young quarterback.

Willis is likely to going to serve in a backup role behind Packers starting quarterback Jordan Love. Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt are the other quarterbacks on the Green Bay roster, but it looks as though Willis will surpass both of them for the No. 2 spot.

Willis completed just 35 of 66 passes for 350 yards throughout his career in Tennessee. Additionally, he ran for 144 yards and a touchdown.

The third-round pick played 11 games for the Titans and made three starts. As a starter, Willis had a 1-2 record. In his three starts for Tennessee, Willis depended on the production of running back Derrick Henry on offense.

Willis is a talented signal-caller that has struggled to develop into an accurate passer throughout his first two seasons with the Titans. The Liberty alum threw three interceptions in Tennessee.

Willis was expendable to the Titans, given the NFL's third quarterback rule revision. Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan said that the Titans were juggling which players to keep on the final 53-man roster.

"It comes across like you get a free spot for a third quarterback," Callahan told the media on Monday. "But it's not. It's a roster spot and it's a real one and you got to carry them on your 53 to get that emergency quarterback."

His accuracy woes in college caused his draft grade to dwindle. Willis had the potential to land as one of the top 10 draft picks in 2022, but his issues with accuracy prevented him from going higher than the third round.

The 2022 quarterback class has failed to make much of an impact in the NFL, besides San Francisco's Brock Purdy who was the final pick of the draft.

Other quarterbacks drafted in 2022 include Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral, and Sam Howell.

In Willis, the Packers are getting a quarterback with solid arm strength and athleticism.

The Packers are known for developing successful quarterbacks such as Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Love. As the primary backup, Willis has the opportunity be molded by a franchise that values its quarterbacks.

Green Bay kicks off the regular season on Friday, Sept. 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.

The trade to Green Bay is the start of a new chapter for the young quarterback. The move could be exactly what Willis needs to get to the next level in the league.