Next Man Up: Malik Willis steps in as Jordan Love is out for a few weeks

Life comes at you fast, just ask Malik Willis.

From being traded to the Packers in late August to trying to learn a new playbook, its been a hectic week for Willis.

For Willis thought things are about to get busier for him.

The 3rd year QB out of Liberty will have to step up as Jordan Love is reportedly out 3-4 weeks with an MCL sprain.

Love was injured in the closing moments of the Packers 34-29 lost to the Eagles.

Willis was in for 2 plays to close out the game but he wasn’t able to advance the Packers at all.

A look at Malik Willis

Willis was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans.

From there, he was the backup QB to Ryan Tannehill for the majority of his time in Tennessee.

Willis though has 3 starts under his belt.

All 3 of those starts came in his rookie season.

His first start was against the Houston Texans.

In his first start Willis was 6 of 10 for 55 yards and one interception in a 17-10 victory.

Willis then started against the Kansas City Chiefs where the Titans fell short in overtime 20-17.

In that game Willis was 5-16 for 80 yards.

Once again Willis was named the starter in week 16 against the Texans in a losing effort.

He was 20-of-27 for 205 yards, two TDs, and one INT.

Furthermore he had 105 yards rushing in the preseason as well.

In Willis, the Packers have an athletic QB who can be a threat scrambling outside the pocket.

While his rushing abilities are great, his passing needs a bit of work.

The Packers though think Willis has the athleticism and arm talent to be a good quarterback.

General Manager Brian Gutekunst said in late August, “He’s a really good athlete. A very strong athlete, strong arm, able to make all the throws.”

Gutekunst also said “I think his ability to win with his arm and with his legs was something that attracted us to him.”

Only time will tell if Malik Willis can lead the Packers to victory in the next 3-4 weeks.

The Packers schedule in the next couple weeks include home games against the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings.

They also have road games against the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams.

Obviously those games are going to be tough without Love.

But if the Packers can win 2 of those games, its a win for the Packers.

If the Packers are going to win any of those games though, it will have to be a team effort.

It will be interesting to see how this team reacts in Week 2 against the Colts.