Packers acquire QB Malik Willis in trade with Titans, sources say

Inexperienced Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur hinted after Saturday’s preseason finale that his backup quarterback won’t be somebody who was already on the roster. Two days later, that is precisely the way it performed out.

The Packers on Monday traded a 2025 seventh-round draft choose to the Tennessee Titans for quarterback Malik Willis, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Willis is anticipated to again up Jordan Love this season.

The Packers held a summerlong competitors between second-year professional Sean Clifford and rookie Michael Pratt to function Love’s backup — a job Clifford held final season as a rookie. The Packers drafted Clifford within the fifth-round final yr and Pratt within the seventh spherical this yr.

Whereas each had their moments, neither stood out sufficient to persuade the Packers that they might win video games if one thing occurred to Love.

When requested after the preseason finale whether or not they had ok choices behind Love, LaFleur mentioned on Saturday: “We’ll see.”

“There have been some actually good moments after which there have been some issues we completely should do higher,” LaFleur mentioned. “After which we’ll consider all the things that is on the market for us.”

It is doable the Packers will maintain Clifford or Pratt on the roster, a minimum of till they’ll get Willis on top of things on the offense. It may be an excessive amount of to ask of Willis to function the No. 2 quarterback for the season opener towards the Eagles in 11 days. Nonetheless, a supply mentioned Clifford was “doubtless gone,” that means he most likely could be launched by Tuesday’s obligatory roster reduce to 53. If that is the case, then maybe Pratt will both make the preliminary 53 or signal to the follow squad if he clears waivers. Within the case of the latter, he may very well be used as a practice-squad elevation for recreation day.

The Packers invested closely in Love, the 2020 first-round choose who after one season as a starter signed a four-year, $220 million contract early in coaching camp this yr.

Willis would have been the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Will Levis and backup Mason Rudolph. He labored principally with the third workforce throughout coaching camp however made strides in his first season with new coach Brian Callahan.

Callahan hinted at probably not preserving three quarterbacks throughout his information convention Monday when requested in regards to the NFL’s third quarterback rule revision.

“It comes throughout such as you get a free spot for a 3rd quarterback,” Callahan mentioned. “However it’s not. It is a roster spot and it is an actual one and you bought to hold them in your 53 to get that emergency quarterback.”

Willis was caught up in a numbers recreation that prevented Tennessee from preserving a 3rd quarterback. The Titans might find yourself preserving 4 tight ends and working backs, which made Willis expendable.