INDIANAPOLIS — The Malik Willis contract sweepstakes has a defined price tag, and it won’t break the bank. Just weeks away from the start of the 2026 NFL league year, front offices have cooled on the idea of handing the Green Bay Packers free-agent quarterback $30 million per season.
Instead, expectations center on a two- or three-year deal averaging between $20 million and $25 million. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio broke the initial projection late Saturday night. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler followed up, reporting that an offer exceeding $30 million “doesn’t appear realistic.” Front offices point directly at the two-year, $40 million deal Justin Fields signed as the true market comparison.
Quarterback desperation drives the NFL. While Willis owns just six career starts, his recent flashes in Green Bay turned heads. Watching Willis carve up defenses late in the 2025 season, you could feel the momentum shifting. He didn’t look like a backup; he looked like a player ready to command his own huddle. The frozen turf at Lambeau Field never slowed him down.
Last season, he stepped in for four games and operated with cold efficiency. He completed 85.7 percent of his passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns. He added 123 yards and two scores on the ground across 22 carries.
Teams noticed. Fowler reports the Miami Dolphins are “definitely in” on Willis, while the Arizona Cardinals are actively “combing the market.” The Cleveland Browns, however, have officially exited the chat.
The 26-year-old quarterback out of Liberty fought his way out of backup purgatory. The Tennessee Titans drafted him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft before shipping him to Green Bay for a mere seventh-round pick. Now, coming off a four-year, $5.16 million rookie deal that included a $932,800 signing bonus, Willis is preparing for life-altering money.
“The issue will be that you simply can’t run your whole offense with him. He’s not ready to handle that. So, whether he can sustain a full season will be a question. But he’s got a lot of ability and terrific character.”
— Anonymous Prominent Offensive Coach
If Miami lands Willis, head coach Mike McDaniel secures the ultimate premium insurance policy. The Dolphins run an offense built on timing and speed, and adding a dual-threat option like Willis forces defensive coordinators to prepare for two completely different game plans. He gives Miami a high-upside floor if injuries strike the quarterback room again.
Arizona presents a different scenario. The Cardinals bringing in Willis would immediately turn up the heat in their facility, providing a legitimate dynamic backup to Kyler Murray. With the free agency window cracking open soon, expect a rapid resolution. Willis sits near the top of the available quarterback tier, and a franchise will lock him up quickly to establish their 2026 offensive identity.
