Former Tennessee Titans quarterback could become Packers starter

Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis made his debut for the Green Bay Packers on Friday night in Brazil after Jordan Love left the field with six seconds left in the game.

The Packers were trailing the Philadelphia Eagles 34-29 when the ball was near the halfway line. Willis took two snaps and it wasn't exactly the prettiest start to his Green Bay career. His first pass attempt was incomplete on the sideline before being sacked, ending the game and giving Philly the win.

Willis was traded to Green Bay after the end of the preseason and is still learning the Packers' offense, but that process will need to accelerate if Love is out for an extended period of time.

If Love is unable to play in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts, Packer fans can expect Willis to start. It's also entirely possible he could start the following week in Nashville against his former team when the Titans host Green Bay in Week 3.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said after the game that he didn't know what would happen next with Love. From being traded up north to playing on the international stage, Willis' life changed in a flash at the start of the regular season, and that could continue.

When Willis spoke to SI after his trade with the Green Bay Packers, he said his first moments with the Packers started out well.

“It's going great,” Willis told the Green Bay Packers on SI. “Can't complain. It's a beautiful day out and I can come here and learn more about football… It's like changing schools, but they give a test when you get there and they've studied certain material. I've studied material — it's NFL football — but it's different terminology and a different system.”

Willis, who was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, showed great progress as a passer in the preseason, especially in the finale against the New Orleans Saints.

He led the game-winning drive and was crucial in the final quarter, finding rookie receiver Bryce Oliver for two fourth-quarter touchdowns – the second of which came with 1:25 left – to give Tennessee the win. Willis finished the game 3 of 4 passing for 51 yards and the two touchdowns, as well as three runs for 29 yards on the ground.

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