The Green Bay Packers are exploring options to replace Malik Willis as their backup quarterback after the veteran signal-caller departed for a three-year contract with the Miami Dolphins in free agency. General manager Brian Gutekunst could look to the draft to address the position, but trading for Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis represents a savvy alternative that would bring experienced depth behind starter Jordan Love.
Why Will Levis Fits the Packers’ Backup Quarterback Need
Will Levis brings NFL starting experience that the Packers value in a backup role, having started games for the Titans in both 2023 and 2024 despite inconsistent results. The 24-year-old former second-round pick struggled during his tenure in Tennessee, posting a 59.5 passer rating in 2024 after missing the entire 2025 season with injury. Green Bay shouldn’t have to surrender more than a late Day 3 draft pick to acquire Levis, whose trade value has diminished following his recent struggles and missed time.
Packers’ Quarterback Depth Chart Analysis
Jordan Love enters his third full season as Green Bay’s starter, having posted a 92.8 passer rating in 2024 with 28 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. The departure of Willis leaves a significant experience gap behind Love, with only rookie draft picks or minimum-salary veterans likely to fill the void. Levis would provide insurance against injury while offering a developmental bridge if Love were to miss extended time. The Packers have historically valued veteran backup quarterbacks who can step in and win games if needed.
The historical context of Green Bay’s quarterback depth reveals a franchise that prioritizes stability at the backup position. Legendary figures like Lynn Dickey and Bobby Douglass served as critical insurance policies during the 1970s glory years, while modern predecessors such as Aaron Rodgers provided leadership before becoming starters. The evolution of the quarterback position—from drop-back specialists to improvisational athletes—has changed the skill set required, but the fundamental need for a capable backup remains constant. Levis’s experience starting in the NFL aligns with this historical precedent, offering familiarity with NFL defenses and the pressure of weekly game preparation.
Team History and Organizational Context
Since Mike McCarthy’s return in 2019, the Packers have oscillated between aggressive innovation and conservative traditionalism. This duality is evident in their quarterback approach: drafting Jordan Love in the first round (2020) while simultaneously clinging to veteran backups like Randall Cobb (WR) and now seeking experienced depth. The franchise’s cautious approach to quarterback development contrasts with aggressive rivals like Kansas City and Buffalo, who have embraced young talent with greater immediacy. Green Bay’s 2024 season, which saw them finish 9-8 after a promising 8-1 start, underscores the volatility of relying on an unproven starter. The addition of a battle-tested backup like Levis could mitigate some of this volatility.
League Context and Competitive Landscape
In the current NFL landscape, backup quarterbacks face heightened scrutiny due to the league’s increased parity and the prevalence of elevated defensive schemes. The 2025 season saw a league-wide trend toward valuing dual-threat capability and quick-decision making, attributes that Levis demonstrated intermittently during his Tennessee tenure. With expansion of regular-season games to 17, the margin for error at backup has narrowed significantly. Teams like Baltimore and San Francisco have invested heavily in secondary options, signaling a league-wide recognition that depth is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The Packers’ pursuit of Levis reflects this broader trend, acknowledging that even a modest upgrade over minimum-salary alternatives could prove decisive in a tight divisional race.
Player Backgrounds and Developmental Trajectories
Will Levis’s journey from Kentucky to the NFL encapsulates the modern quarterback development arc. Drafted 33rd overall in 2023, he was seen as a project with raw physical tools but inconsistent decision-making. His college production at Kentucky—38 touchdowns against 22 interceptions over two seasons—failed to fully translate to the professional level. Meanwhile, Malik Willis’s path from undrafted free agent to starter illustrates the volatility of the quarterback market; his three-year, $21 million Dolphins contract suggests the Packers may have undervalued his potential. Jordan Love’s own trajectory—from walk-on to starter—highlights the unpredictability of developing NFL quarterbacks. For the Packers, balancing the risk of investing in Levis against the reward of stabilizing the depth chart is a critical strategic decision.
Packers’ Quarterback Depth Chart Analysis
Jordan Love enters his third full season as Green Bay’s starter, having posted a 92.8 passer rating in 2024 with 28 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. The departure of Willis leaves a significant experience gap behind Love, with only rookie draft picks or minimum-salary veterans likely to fill the void. Levis would provide insurance against injury while offering a developmental bridge if Love were to miss extended time. The Packers have historically valued veteran backup quarterbacks who can step in and win games if needed.
Analyzing the depth chart through a football operations lens reveals nuanced considerations. A 2024 season where Love threw for over 4,000 yards demonstrates his ceiling, but also his vulnerability to pressure and defensive adjustments. Levis, with his 6-foot-5 frame and mobility, offers a different archetype—capable of extending plays with his legs when pocket presence breaks down. This complementary skill set could prove invaluable against stacked boxes and exotic blitz packages common in today’s NFL. The coaching staff must weigh the benefit of having a familiar system quarterback (Levis worked under Todd Downing in Tennessee) against the challenge of integrating a new personality during a condensed training camp.
Trade Market and Salary Cap Implications
The quarterback market for backups remains relatively affordable, with most teams paying between $3-5 million annually for experienced depth. Levis is currently scheduled to earn approximately $2.8 million in 2026 under his rookie contract’s fifth-year option, making him a cost-effective solution for Green Bay’s needs. The Packers have roughly $15 million in available cap space, providing flexibility to absorb Levis’ contract without significant roster maneuvering. Trading for Levis would also avoid using a premium draft pick on a quarterback when the team has other pressing needs along the offensive and defensive lines.
Cap management in the modern NFL requires strategic foresight. With $15 million in flexibility, the Packers could structure the trade using a combination of draft picks and salary retention. Historical precedents, such as the Jets’ acquisition of Mike White in 2023, demonstrate that backup quarterback trades often involve minimal assets when the selling team is eager to clear roster space. The Titans’ urgency to reduce their quarterback roster to two viable options (Tua Tagovailoa and backup) creates leverage for Green Bay. Structuring the deal around a 2026 sixth-round pick and minimal salary retention would align with the organization’s philosophy of preserving future draft capital.
Key Developments
- Malik Willis signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Miami Dolphins in March 2026
- Will Levis missed the entire 2025 season due to injury after struggling in 2024
- Green Bay holds multiple Day 3 draft picks that could be packaged for Levis
- The Titans are expected to trade Levis rather than carry three quarterbacks into training camp
- Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has a history of finding value in backup quarterback acquisitions
Why did Malik Willis leave the Packers for the Dolphins?
Willis departed Green Bay for Miami after signing a three-year, $21 million contract that offered him a clearer path to playing time. The Dolphins needed quarterback depth behind Tua Tagovailoa, while Green Bay’s commitment to Jordan Love limited Willis’ opportunities for significant snaps.
What is Will Levis’ NFL experience and recent performance?
Levis has started 12 games over two NFL seasons, posting a 59.5 passer rating in 2024 before missing 2025 with injury. The former Kentucky star was drafted 33rd overall in 2023 but has struggled with consistency and decision-making at the professional level.
How much would the Packers need to give up for Will Levis?
Green Bay should be able to acquire Levis for a late Day 3 draft pick, likely in the sixth or seventh round. His diminished trade value following poor performance and injury makes him affordable, especially considering the Titans’ need to reduce their quarterback room before training camp.
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