NFL Insider Predicts Malik Willis Could Get Contract Like Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold in Free Agency

Green Bay Packers backup quarterback and impending free agent Malik Willis could get a contract worth at least $30 million per year this offseason, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said during an on the NFL Daily podcast with Gregg Rosenthal.

"If [New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields] gets [$20 million] a year, what does Malik Willis get? [$30 million]? [$35 million]? That's my guess as to what it is," Rapoport said.

Rosenthal then said that he thought Willis could get a contract similar to the ones that Daniel Jones got with the New York Giants in 2023 (four years, $160 million) or Geno Smith got with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025 (two years, $75 million).

"Anywhere between [$35 million] and [$42 million] or something," Rosenthal said.

"I think that's probably right," Rapoport replied.

The $30 million annual salary is in the ballpark of what Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Baker Mayfield got in 2024 and what Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks for in 2025. Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million contract, and Darnold inked a three-year, $100.5 million deal.

The Tennessee Titans selected Willis with a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He struggled in three starts with the team during his rookie season, completing just 31-of-61 passes for no touchdowns, three interceptions and 276 yards. He also rushed for 123 yards and a score.

Willis only threw five passes for Tennessee in 2023 before the Titans traded him to the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick.

Willis showcased his talents in Green Bay while standing in for injured starting quarterback Jordan Love. In Week 2 and 3 of the 2024 season, Willis completed 25-of-33 passes for two touchdowns and 324 yards while rushing for 114 yards and a score. He also went 10-of-13 for 136 yards in the regular season finale against the Chicago Bears in relief of Love as the Packers rested some players in the back half of their matchup in advance of the playoffs.

Willis impressed even more when replacing Love near the end of the 2025 regular season after the signal-caller suffered a concussion against the Chicago Bears. Willis went 9-of-11 for 121 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 44 yards against Chicago. He then went off against the Baltimore Ravens, completing 18-of-21 passes for 288 yards and a score while adding 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Needless to say, Willis did well. But it was in a very limited sample size. So whatever team signs him is going to take a big chance, especially considering the contract could be fairly sizable.

Still, he could also be a huge steal, especially if his sample size extends to a longer stretch. Mayfield and Darnold had more experience behind them, but they've proved to be huge wins for their respective franchises thus far.

As far as potential landing spots for Willis, Rapoport mentioned the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals, but he also said there were concerns they could afford him under the salary cap given financial commitments to signal-callers Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray.