(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 23: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers reacts in the first quarter during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 23, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
At 5-3-1, things could certainly be worse for the Packers here in 2025. But with two straight losses and only 20 points scored in those games–both played at home–there is a sky-is-falling feeling around this team, no matter the fact that Green Bay still has a 75% chance of earning a playoff spot and a 28% chance of winning the NFC North, according to The Athletic.
But the Packers do need a shakeup, and with the Giants on tap on Sunday afternoon in New York, before a gauntlet of five divisional games in the last seven (plus games against the Broncos and the rejuvenated Ravens), this might be the time to do it.
If wrinkles are what the Packers need, then they have one who has been dangling on the roster all season, and who has shown glimpses of what he can do when he is put to good use: Malik Willis, the backup quarterback who won both of his starts when Jordan Love was injured last season.
Packers Could Take Advantage of Malik Willis Runs
Willis is not a traditional backup quarterback, and that could be used to the Packers advantage. He’s an exceptional runner for his position and an accurate short-ball thrower. In his two starts last year (he has not played since), Willis threw only 54 passes and completed 74.1% of them.
But Willis also picked up 138 yards on 20 carries in those two games. And that dual-threat ability could give the Packers an untapped weapon. No one is suggesting Willis start playing 30 snaps–just a handful of plays to throw defenses off balance and make teams waste time outs.
Love would get a bit of rest in the bargain.
GettyPackers quarterback Jordan Love.
‘Everything on Table’ for Packers Offense
That was the thrust from veteran Packers beat writer Pete Dougherty, who was asked about Willis in his mailbag chat this week. And Dougherty notes that, at this point, it needs to be all hands on deck for the Packers offense.
One of the criticisms of the Packers as they stand, especially with Tucker Kraft out because of a knee injury, has been that the offense is too predictable. Giving Willis some snaps would change that.
Writes Dougherty: “At this point everything has to be on the table. It might be a nice changeup to bring him in for a few snaps a game, including short-yardage. Might be just the kind of thing to add some juice to the offense when things get stagnant.
“No idea if LaFleur will do it. This is not something he’d comment on before a game. “
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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