Luckily for the Green Bay Packers, they didn’t need to beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 to earn a playoff berth. Thanks to the Detroit Lions losing to the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay is headed back to the postseason
Still, the 41-24 loss at Lambeau Field came with consequences. The Packers officially lost the NFC North title to the Chicago Bears, sending them into the playoffs as a wild-card team rather than a division champion.
Despite the loss, there was at least one clear positive to come out of the night — quarterback Malik Willis, who once again shined while Jordan Love remained out with a concussion.
Willis was the primary reason the Packers stayed competitive as long as they did. While Derrick Henry was torching Green Bay’s defense and setting Lambeau Field rushing records as a visitor with a season-high 216 yards and four touchdowns, Willis was doing everything he could to keep the Packers’ offense alive.
He finished the night completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown. Willis was just as effective with his legs, leading the Packers in rushing with 60 yards and two additional scores.
Willis exited late in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury, but by then the bigger story had already taken shape. The 26-year-old former third-round pick may have played himself into serious consideration as one of the top quarterback free agents in 2026.
Malik Willis Looking To Become Top Free Agent QB
When the Packers acquired Malik Willis in a trade from the Tennessee Titans, the move barely registered. The former Liberty quarterback had little résumé to speak of in Tennessee, having made just three starts and appearing in 11 games total.
But after Jordan Love went down with an injury in 2024, Willis stepped in and went 2-0 as a starter. While his record this season sits at 1-2, the performances themselves have been strong enough to turn heads around the league.
“Malik Willis looks great. Another example of what going to a well-coached environment and getting a chance to learn how to play the position at the NFL level can do for a young, talented player,” former NFL quarterback Brian Hoyer posted on X.
It’s hard to argue otherwise. A change of scenery has clearly benefited Willis, who has developed under head coach Matt LaFleur. With free agency looming in 2026, Willis appears to have positioned himself for a solid payday, one projected to fall in the $5 million to $8 million range annually. To this point, he has earned just $5.3 million over his entire NFL career.
Interestingly enough, that next contract could end up helping Green Bay as well.
Malik Willis’ Next Contract Could Help Packers’ Future
Packers Wire’s Zach Kruse raised an interesting point ahead of Green Bay’s loss to Baltimore.
“If Malik Willis plays well tonight, the Packers will probably win. And if Willis plays well, he will likely increase his earning potential in free agency. And if he signs a big deal elsewhere, the Packers will get a better compensatory pick in 2027,” Kruse posted on X.
Compensatory picks are awarded to teams that lose unrestricted free agents, which Willis is on track to become. Given the circumstances, it seems highly unlikely that he re-signs with the Packers. When a player leaves in free agency, the NFL awards compensatory picks to help offset the loss.
The size of the deal matters. The larger Willis’ next contract is, the better the compensatory pick Green Bay would receive in return.
As for why that pick wouldn’t arrive until 2027, compensatory selections are awarded one year after the free-agency cycle concludes — meaning any deal Willis signs in 2026 would not pay dividends for the Packers until the following draft.
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