Film Room: The "Packer-Proof" Evolution of Malik Willis

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When the Green Bay Packers traded a 7th-round pick for Malik Willis in August 2024, the consensus was that they were buying a low-cost “lottery ticket.” Eighteen months later, Willis is the #1-ranked free agent on several major boards, with a projected market value north of $30 million per year.

How did a “project” QB with a 49.4 passer rating in Tennessee transform into a player with a historic 145.5 rating in 2025? Let’s go to the tape.

1. The “Anti-JaMarcus” Efficiency

The biggest knock on Willis coming out of Liberty was his tendency to hold the ball and invite sacks. In Green Bay, Matt LaFleur successfully “reprogrammed” Willis’s internal clock.

The Stat: In 2025, Willis led the NFL in Success Rate (63.3%) and EPA per play (0.49).
The Film: Against Baltimore in Week 17, Willis displayed a “decisive or out” mentality. If his first read wasn’t open, he didn’t hitch; he either checked down to Josh Jacobs or utilized his elite 19.1% scramble rate. He has stopped trying to win the game on every snap, which, ironically, has allowed him to win more games.

2. The Deep Ball “Missile” Accuracy

While the Titans rarely let Willis throw downfield, LaFleur embraced Willis’s arm strength.

The Stat: Willis was 13-of-16 for 456 yards and a perfect 158.3 passer rating on throws traveling 20+ yards downfield over the last two seasons.
The Film: His “signature moment” came against the Giants, where he delivered a 40-yard post to Christian Watson in stride while taking a hit. It showed he has moved past the “aiming” phase and is now trusting his natural velocity.

3. Scheme Versatility: The “Hybrid” Shotgun

The Packers’ offense shifted significantly when Willis took the snaps, becoming a precursor to what teams like Miami or Pittsburgh might run with him.

The Adjustments: Under Willis, the Packers increased their Shotgun rate to 85% and Option-run rate to 27%.
The Film: In the “Blizzard of ’26” game against Chicago, Willis’s ability to run the “Speed Option” forced defenders to freeze. This created massive windows for tight end Tucker Kraft over the middle—an area of the field Willis previously avoided.

The “Before vs. After” Comparison

Metric	Tennessee (2022-23)	Green Bay (2024-25)
Completion %	53.0%	78.7%
Passer Rating	49.4	134.6
TD-to-INT Ratio	0:3	6:0
Sack %	17.5%	11.0%

The Verdict: Why Teams are Paying

Willis is no longer just a “runner who can throw.” He has proven he can operate within a high-level NFL system, protect the football (zero interceptions in Green Bay), and punish defenses that stack the box.

With Jeff Hafley (former Packers DC) now in Miami and the Steelers looking for a post-Rodgers spark, Willis is the rare free agent who offers both a high ceiling and—thanks to his Green Bay “finishing school”—a much higher floor than anyone expected.