Tag: malik willis

Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) throws during the third quarter of their game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Reports: Dolphins sign QB Malik Willis to 3-year, $67.5 million deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins appear to have found their potential Tua Tagovailoa replacement, signing coveted free-agent quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year deal, according to multiple media reports.

The deal is worth $67.5 million with $45 million guaranteed, per NFL Network. It’s a reunion of sorts with new Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley, who has been the Packers’ defensive coordinator for the last two seasons while Willis was Green Bay’s backup quarterback.

Willis, who turns 27 in May, played in 22 games (six starts) over his rookie contract with the Tennessee Titans (2022-23) and Packers (2024-25). He was drafted in the third round by Tennessee in 2022 and traded to Green Bay ahead of the 2024 season for a seventh-round pick.

He played in four games (one start) last season, turning heads when he completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown with 60 rushing yards and two more scores in the Packers’ 41-24 loss to Baltimore on Dec. 27.

Willis finished the 2025 season with 422 passing yards, 123 rushing yards and five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing).

For his career, he’s completed 67.7% of his passes for 1,322 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also amassed 405 rushing yards with four rushing touchdowns.

The Dolphins released Tagovailoa, their 2020 first-round pick, Monday morning, taking on an NFL-record $99.2 million in dead salary-cap space.

–Field Level Media

Packers dispel QB1 doubt, plan to stay with Jordan Love

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Malik Willis might start again for the Packers in a Week 18 that won’t change the playoff standing for Green Bay, but his spot in the quarterback pecking order is unchanged.

Willis outperformed expectations in the Packers’ 41-24 loss Saturday to the Ravens with Jordan Love on the sideline due to concussion protocol. Willis was 18-of-21 passing for 288 yards and a touchdown and scored two rushing touchdowns with 60 yards on nine carries.

Love and Willis were both injured Week 16 at Chicago. Love practiced while in concussion protocol last week but wasn’t fully cleared. Willis was slower to return to practice with an ailing right shoulder, but received the green light on Friday to start against Baltimore.

Even if Love is cleared this week, he might not play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers are anchored as the No. 7 seed in the NFC regardless of results next week.

Partially because of the strategic approach the Packers are still determining, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Saturday night he wasn’t ready to discuss the plans at quarterback, stirring questions and debate by stating he didn’t want to “speak too soon.”

But LaFleur went out of his way to clarify on Sunday afternoon that Love is the QB1 when healthy.

“I want to pump the brakes on all that stuff,” LaFleur said. “I think Jordan Love is playing some pretty high-level football, and it’s great that we feel the same about Malik in his ability to go in there. I thought he’s had two really back-to-back outstanding performances. So we’re in a good spot with that position, certainly have a lot of confidence in both of those guys, but it’s clear that Jordan is our franchise quarterback, and when he is healthy, he’s going to be our starter. So, just want to squash all that.”

The Packers have lost three consecutive games, dropping from a share of the NFC North lead and a chance at the No. 1 seed to the bottom of the seven-team playoff field in the conference.

During the stretch, the Packers lost Love to a head injury in the first half at Chicago last week, pass rusher Micah Parsons (torn ACL) at Denver in Week 15 and starting right tackle Zach Tom (back/knee) missed his second consecutive game on Saturday. Defensive tackle Jordon Riley sustained a season-ending Achilles injury and cornerback Kamal Hadden sustained a season-ending ankle injury in Saturday’s loss, LaFleur said Sunday.

“Guys going down all over the league — that ain’t just happening to us you know what I mean?” safety Javon Bullard said. “No matter how we put it, we’ve got to ball. We get paid to ball.”

LaFleur said the number of injuries the Packers are dealing with factors into what personnel Green Bay will use at Minnesota. Not because he’s planning to “protect” starters, rather he wants every player without an injury to be “ready to play ball.”

“Regardless of anything, whether you rest certain individuals you’re kind of limited, especially our situation right now with the number of injuries that occurred,” LaFleur said. “Guys are going to have to play ball.”

–Field Level Media

Packers’ Jordan Love out vs. Ravens; Malik Willis expected to start

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Green Bay starting quarterback Jordan Love will not play Saturday night when the Packers host the Baltimore Ravens.

The team announced Friday that they downgraded Love (concussion protocol, shoulder) to out for the game.

Backup Malik Willis, who missed Wednesday’s practice (illness) and was limited on Tuesday and Thursday (shoulder), is expected to start. Clayton Tune, who played in 13 games at quarterback for the Cardinals in 2023-24, will likely be elevated from the Packers’ practice squad and serve as Willis’ backup.

Love left Saturday’s overtime loss to the Chicago Bears in the second quarter when he took a helmet-to-helmet blow from the Bears’ Austin Booker. Willis came on and completed 9 of 11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.

Willis, a four-year veteran, is 2-0 as Green Bay’s starter, guiding the team to wins over Indianapolis and Tennessee in September 2024. He started three games for Tennessee as a rookie in 2022, winning one and dropping two decisions.

Willis has completed 64.9% (87 of 134) of his passes for 1,034 yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has a pair of rushing touchdowns.

Willis is expected to oppose Ravens backup Tyler Huntley, as Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful (back) for the contest.

The Packers clinched a playoff spot after Detroit lost at Minnesota on Christmas Day.

–Field Level Media

Jordan Love (concussion protocol) participates in Packers walk-through

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Starting quarterback Jordan Love was a limited participant in the Green Bay Packers’ practice on Tuesday, the maximum he was allowed to do while in the concussion protocol.

Love left Saturday’s overtime loss to the Chicago Bears in the second quarter when he took a helmet-to-helmet blow from the Bears’ Austin Booker.

According to reports, Love spent Tuesday taking part in the Packers’ walk-through for Saturday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens. Backup quarterback Malik Willis, who injured his right shoulder during the waning moments of regulation in Chicago, also was limited.

Green Bay (9-5-1) is on the verge of earning its sixth playoff berth in seven years. The Packers need to win one of their final two games or the Detroit Lions need to lose one of their final two. The Lions (8-7) travel to the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, so the Packers’ eagerness for Love or Willis to play on Saturday could wane if the Lions lose.

“We’ve got to see how they progress throughout the course of the week,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters. “So by no means are they in the clear.”

Love has started every game this season and completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. His quarterback rating sits at 101.2, his best showing since taking the offense’s reins prior to the 2023 season.

Willis hit nine of 11 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown in Love’s stead on Saturday. He also rushed 10 times for 44 yards in his most extensive action this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Reports: Packers QB Jordan Love expected to start vs. Lions

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is expected to start Sunday’s game against the visiting Detroit Lions, multiple media outlets reported on Saturday.

Love was listed as questionable with a groin injury he sustained in the Packers’ 30-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday. Fellow quarterback Malik Willis replaced Love in the third quarter and led Green Bay (6-2) to its fourth straight win.

Love did not participate in Wednesday’s practice and was a limited participant in the sessions on Thursday and Friday.

Love completed 14 of 22 passes for 196 yards with one interception last Sunday. Willis went 4 of 5 for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Love, who turned 26 on Saturday, has passed for 1,547 yards, 15 touchdowns and a league-high nine interceptions in six starts this season.

–Field Level Media

Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) looks over the New Orleans Saints defense during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Packers acquiring QB Malik Willis for seventh-round pick in 2025

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The Tennessee Titans are trading quarterback Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, multiple outlets reported Monday.

Willis, 25, could be the backup to Jordan Love, who became the Packers’ starter last season and signed a four-year, $220 million contract during training camp. Behind Love are Sean Clifford, a second-year player taken in the fifth round in 2023 out of Penn State, and Michael Pratt, a rookie out of Tulane drafted in the seventh round in April.

Projected as a possible first-round pick in the 2022 draft out of Liberty, Willis went in the third round as the third quarterback selected overall. He has played in 11 games in two seasons, starting three with a 1-2 record.

Willis has completed 35 of 66 passes (53 percent) for 350 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed 42 times for 144 yards and one touchdown.

He was third on the Titans’ depth chart behind incumbent starter Will Levis, 25, a second-round pick in 2023, and veteran Mason Rudolph, 29, who signed as a free agent in March.

–FIeld Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) runs after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens S Kyle Hamilton ejected; Titans QB Ryan Tannehill injured

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Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton was ejected from Sunday’s game in London following a helmet-to-helmet hit on Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chris Moore.

Also, Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill sustained an apparent ankle injury during the third quarter. He was able to finish Tennessee’s drive, however second-year quarterback Malik Willis replaced him to start the fourth quarter.

Hamilton hit Moore during the pass attempt with 8:37 remaining in the third quarter, resulting in flags being thrown following the incompletion.

Moore, who spent his first five seasons with the Ravens, struggled to get to his feet and needed to be assisted off the field.

Hamilton, 22, entered Sunday’s contest with 24 tackles, three sacks and one interception in five games (all starts) this season.

He has 86 tackles, five sacks and one pick in 21 career games (nine starts) since being selected 14th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Titans QB Joshua Dobbs to start vs. Cowboys

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Joshua Dobbs will make his first career NFL start in Thursday’s game against the visiting Dallas Cowboys, multiple media outlets reported.

Dobbs reportedly is getting the nod over rookie Malik Willis for Tennessee, which is without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill due to an ankle injury.

As for the Cowboys (11-4), NFL Network reported running back Tony Pollard is expected to be inactive for Thursday’s contest. Pollard has been unable to participate in practice all week due to a thigh injury.

The Titans (7-8) can improve their record but risk injury while gaining no ground in playoff positioning until the Jan. 8 winner-take-all AFC South showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Even if the Jaguars beat the Houston Texans on Sunday to improve to 8-8, and should Tennessee lose Thursday, the division title would still be on the line when the teams meet head-to-head.

Dobbs, 27, was signed by the Titans off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on Dec. 21. He began the season with the Cleveland Browns, who parted ways with him after Deshaun Watson joined the roster following his 11-game suspension.

He appeared in six games with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2018 and 2020 seasons, completing 10 of 17 passes for 45 yards with one interception.

Dobbs returns to the state where he played in college at Tennessee from 2013-16 and threw for more than 7,000 yards.

Willis, 23, completed just 14 of 23 passes for 99 yards and two interceptions in Tennessee’s 19-14 loss to the Houston Texans last Saturday. He is completing just 50.8 percent of his passes for 276 yards with three picks in eight games this season.

Pollard, 25, sits 12 rushing yards shy of 1,000 for the season. Teammate Ezekiel Elliott has 829 yards and 11 touchdowns, including scores in eight consecutive games.

Pollard has a team-leading 12 total touchdowns (nine rushing, three receiving). The 2022 Pro Bowl selection was limited to nine carries for 19 yards last week, when the Cowboys rallied to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, and McCarthy said Malik Davis would see more reps in this week’s prep sessions.

Davis has 23 carries for 103 yards and one touchdown in 10 games this season.

Dallas is the top wild-card team in the NFC and maintains the slimmest hope of catching Philadelphia in the East division.

The Cowboys can win the NFC East if the Eagles lose their final two games and Dallas beats the Titans and Washington Commanders. Philadelphia (13-2) locks up the division and home-field advantage throughout conference playoffs with a victory Sunday against the New Orleans Saints (6-9).

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Titans QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle) out for regular season

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If the Tennessee Titans are to make the NFL playoffs, they’ll do it without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Multiple outlets reported Saturday that Tannehill underwent surgery this week to treat his high right ankle sprain and will miss the rest of the regular season. It was unclear whether he’d be recovered in time for the playoffs, should the Titans (7-7) get there.

The Titans host the Houston Texans (1-12-1) on Saturday and will turn to rookie quarterback Malik Willis, who went 1-1 when he subbed for Tannehill earlier this season.

Tennessee has lost four games in a row and find the Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) chasing it for the AFC South title. The Titans face the Dallas Cowboys next week and close with the Jaguars.

Tannehill hurt his ankle absorbing a hit from Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack in a Week 15 loss.

In his fourth season with the Titans, the 34-year-old Tannehill has passed for 2,536 yards and 13 touchdowns with six interceptions in 12 games.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) throws a pass during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Nas Titans Ota 040

QB Malik Willis, Titans agree to contract terms

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis agreed to the terms of his rookie deal, putting the entire nine-member 2022 class under contract on the day rookies are set to report to training camp, the team said Saturday.

The Titans drafted Willis in the third round (86th overall) out of Liberty University.

Willis, 23, has backed up incumbent starter Ryan Tannehill and Logan Woodside during Tennessee’s offseason workouts and minicamp.

Willis broke his own single-season touchdown record at Liberty in 2021, accounting for 27 passing and 13 rushing TDs.

He was responsible for 65.9 percent of the Flames’ total of 5,671 yards, throwing for 2,857 yards and running for 878 more on 197 carries.

The veterans are scheduled to report to training camp on Tuesday.

–Field Level Media