After months of speculation, the Tennessee Titans traded quarterback Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers before Tuesday’s roster deadline. In return, the Titans received a 2025 seventh-round pick, allowing general manager Lan Carson to get a draft pick back in exchange for Willis.
The Liberty University product was expected to be the next face of the franchise and was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. But Willis never took the steps necessary to become the quarterback of the future, completing just 50.8 percent of his passes in eight games as a rookie, including three starts in place of an injured Ryan Tannehill.
The following year, the Titans drafted Will Revis with the 33rd overall pick, but Tennessee gave him ample opportunity to prove himself, but Willis only attempted five passes. With the free-agent signing of Mason Rudolph, a proven and experienced backup quarterback, Malik Willis’ playing days were numbered.
The 25-year-old is expected to serve as a backup to Jordan Love.
Here’s how Titans Twitter/X reacted to the trade:
The best part of the Malik Willis trade was #Titans I don’t think we need to talk about Malik Willis anymore.
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) August 26, 2024
Bro, I’m sorry to see you go! The Packers have some great players! On and off the field! Malik Willis https://t.co/uxH6jX7vG4
— Jeffrey Simmons (@GrindSimmons94) August 26, 2024
To this day I can’t believe the Titans traded AJ Brown for Malik Willis and Treylon Burks https://t.co/A8V7nSjFGN
— Akash (@YZR_Fantasy) August 26, 2024
Malik Willis and the Packers #Titans @Nissan Stadium It’s week 3.
— Turron Davenport (@TDavenport_NFL) August 26, 2024
Think About It #Packers This is a really good fit for Malik Willis, a team known for developing QBs and they clearly see something in that spark. #Titans You get a 7th round pick, which is what teams like to use to acquire players… (e.g. Leroy Watson)
— JT Ruhnke (@jt_ruhnke) August 26, 2024
Landed Trade #Titans Malik Willis:
April 29, 2022: Traded a 2022 third-round pick (90th overall, Dylan Parham) and a 2022 fifth-round pick (169th overall, then traded, Ty Chandler) to the Raiders for a 2022 third-round pick (86th overall, Malik Willis).
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 26, 2024
Interesting developments #Packers They will acquire backup QB Malik Willis. #TitansThe team, with few picks in the 2025 draft, acquired a running back who will be selected in the late draft. https://t.co/5VOxJPoQDm
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) August 26, 2024
I didn’t think so #Titans They could have sneaked him on waivers, but acquiring a draft pick for Willis is a big win for Lan Carson. https://t.co/Wm4bBue5wQ
— Steve Layman (@SteveLayman) August 26, 2024
It’s safe to assume Malik Willis wouldn’t make the Titans’ 53-man roster if traded for the seventh pick.
— Justin Graber (@titansfilmroom) August 26, 2024