FlurrySports analyzes three possible landing spots for the Malik Willis free agency saga, including the Arizona Cardinals.
As the NFL season is set to open very soon, one story everybody is on the edge of their seat for is the Malik Willis free agency landing spot. Willis’ career did not get off to the start that he would have liked in Tennessee, eventually leading him to Green Bay to back up Jordan Love. In relief of Love this past season, Willis showed off the skills that he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Willis’ combination of decision-making with his rushing ability should make any quarterback-needy team excited about bringing him in.
He is the top free agent on the board for many people, and there are many teams needing a quarterback. So, let’s take a look at three landing spots for Malik Willis in free agency.
Read our QB NFL Free Agency Rankings HERE, which include Malik Willis!
Malik Willis Free Agency Landing Spots
Minnesota Vikings
The first team that comes to my mind that could spend some money on Willis is his current division rival, the Minnesota Vikings. As their roster currently stands, the Vikings feature JJ McCarthy, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer and John Wolford at the quarterback position. While McCarthy is still the quarterback of the future in Minnesota, it is apparent that there needs to be some talent in that room for this year. Could this mean that the Vikings bring in a veteran quarterback like Willis to stabilize the room before McCarthy is 100% ready? Possibly.
Given that Willis has yet to produce at a 17-game rate, I could see Minnesota offering Willis a one-year deal to see what he has. It appears that McCarthy needs some more time to sit and learn, so Minnesota going after Willis and throwing the ball to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, while improving the run game by himself, seems like a match made in heaven.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are moving on from Kyler Murray, so there is an immediate need at the quarterback position for the Arizona Cardinals. While the Cardinals have moved on from Jonathan Gannon, bringing someone in like Willis does not shake anything too crazy up. With Mike LaFleur taking over as the head coach of the Cardinals, there is an obvious connection with Willis playing under his brother Matt in Green Bay. On top of LaFleur, general manager Monti Ossenfort was with Willis when they were both in Tennessee.
We know that Arizona wants to run the football, but injuries to James Conner, Murray and Trey Benson over the last couple of seasons have severely limited them in that avenue. Malik Willis has the capability to take over the running game by himself (like he did in Week 17 of the past season against the Ravens), which should be a major help to whoever is starting at running back for the Cardinals this season.
New York Jets
The final thought for the Malik Willis free agency saga is a trip east, signing with the New York Jets. The story remains the same for the New York Jets – no matter how their team is assembled, there is always an issue at the quarterback position. While it seems like the Jets could go after a quarterback in this upcoming class, given their stock of draft picks, it might make more sense to bring Willis in as a bridge quarterback and fill other holes in the roster. And hey, if Willis works out this season, then the Jets can spend their draft picks in other places.
With Willis set to be just 27 years old when the NFL season starts, he can work as a perfect veteran in a Jets locker room that is still in the midst of a rebuild. Bringing in Willis will also keep fan interest, as we saw Willis as one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the NFL last season when he was on the field.
