The Green Bay Packers have some tough decisions to make this offseason. While they will enter the new league year with more salary cap space than they have had in a while, they will likely release certain players to create even more room to sign free agents, their own players, and their 2025 NFL Draft class.
One player that seems like an obvious cut candidate is cornerback Jaire Alexander, who has missed the majority of three of the past four seasons due to injuries. The two-time Pro Bowler himself even said he is not sure he will be back next year.
As is the case every offseason, NFL fans and analysts attempt to predict which players will get cut from each team. One analyst had a very confusing suggestion for Green Bay.
NFL Analyst Predicts the Green Bay Packers Will Cut Quarterback Malik Willis
Wm. Glasheen
According to Sterling Bennett of Heavy, one name fans should keep an eye on as players get cut to save salary cap room is quarterback Malik Willis:
“Quarterback Malik Willis is another player whose contract the Green Bay Packers might evaluate. Although Willis performed admirably when called upon during the 2024 season, his long-term role within the organization is uncertain. With no clear path to becoming a full-time starter, Willis’ $1.4 million cap hit stands out as one of the few contracts the Packers could fully clear without incurring dead money.”
This, however, does not make much sense for Green Bay. After being acquired via trade from the Tennessee Titans following training camp last year, Willis started two games while Jordan Love was out with a sprained MCL and won them both.
On the season, Willis completed 74.1% of his passes for 550 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 124.8 passer rating.
The Green Bay Packers Need a Reliable Backup Quarterback Behind Jordan Love
As Bennett notes above, cutting Willis would only save the Packers $1.4 million. This is because 2025 will be the last year of his rookie contract. In other words, they are not paying him much (by league standards) to begin with.
The notion of cutting Willis also ignores the fact that Green Bay had to go out and trade for him after Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt performed horribly in training camp and preseason games. Both were cut from the 53-man roster. Clifford was re-signed to the Packers practice squad while Pratt was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If Green Bay were to part ways with their backup quarterback this offseason, they would need to find another quality reserve. Last year, they were fortunate to find Willis as they scrambled to fill out their roster. They likely would not be so lucky the second time around.
