(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers made a surprising move recently by trading for quarterback Malik Willis.
Green Bay sent a seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for the former third-round pick.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst recently spoke on why the team decided to make the move.
“He’s in his third year, and he really has shown a lot of progression, particularly this preseason. It was just an opportunity for us to add a guy that I think can not only make plays with his arm but with his legs as well,” Gutekunst said, via 97.3 The Game.
#Packers GM Brian Gutekunst talks about why they chose QB Malik Willis over Clifford and Pratt
“He really has shown a lot of progression, particularly this preseason.” pic.twitter.com/mWUc2fELJe
— 97.3 The Game (@TheGameMKE) August 28, 2024
The Packers now have a projected backup behind franchise quarterback Jordan Love.
Willis made three starts in the NFL as a rookie in 2022 and has a career completion percentage of 53.0 percent with six turnovers compared to just one total touchdown.
Luckily for Willis, he has an opportunity to be the clear-cut backup for a franchise known for developing quarterbacks.
If Willis is able to improve his game during his time in Green Bay, especially as a passer, perhaps he has a future with another team that is willing to take a chance on him as a possible starter.
For now, he will need to get up to speed on the playbook and the way the system operates before he takes some meaningful reps in practice.
The good news for Willis is that Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was the Titans offensive coordinator in 2018 under head coach Mike Vrabel, who drafted Willis in 2022.
So, there is some consistency with both teams, which is why Willis may have a great opportunity to give his career a boost.
The post Packers GM Reveals Why Team Traded For Malik Willis appeared first on The Cold Wire.