The Green Bay Packers found their current franchise quarterback five years ago, in the 2020 NFL Draft, when they selected Jordan Love with the 26th overall pick. However, with backup quarterback Malik Willis’ recent outstanding performances, some are wondering if Willis actually gives the Packers a better chance to win right now than Love.
After the Packers lost 41-24 on Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Matt LaFluer put an end to any quarterback controversy talk in Green Bay.
How Did Matt LaFluer React To A Potential QB Controversy?
The Packers drafted Love at the tail-end of Aaron Rodgers’ illustrious career in Green Bay. Rodgers was still playing at a very high level, but the Packers chose to use their first-round pick on his future replacement.
While questioned at the time, the move has worked out about as well as possible for the organization. The young quarterback, Love, had three years to sit behind a future Hall of Famer and watch and learn the game.
Love took over in 2023 and has done remarkably well, picking up right where Rodgers left off. The young Packers quarterback is 27-19-1 through his first three full seasons as a starter, with Week 18 on the horizon, and he’s made the playoffs all three years.
However, after being among the top guys in the NFL MVP conversation earlier this season, Love’s last two games before his injury were a little shaky. His backup, Willis, came in and has looked very sharp. But this isn’t the first time Willis has stepped in and performed at a high level.
The Packers’ backup played in seven games last season and won both of his starts. Willis finished the year with 550 yards and three touchdowns with a 74.1% completion percentage and no interceptions.
This year, through four games, including one start, Willis has a 85.7% completion percentage, 422 yards, and three touchdowns, as well as an additional 123 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
In the two games Willis has played in, against the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens, he’s ranked in the top 5 among all quarterbacks in the NFL, according to PFSN’s QB Impact. After a Top 5 finish against the Bears, Willis bettered that with a Top 2 finish in Week 17 against the Ravens.
Willis has exceeded every expectation when he’s been counted on, and he’s likely played himself into a starting role in 2026. However, LaFluer wanted to make sure everyone knew Love is still the Packers’ starter, and he’s been playing at a high level, too.
“I want to pump the brakes on all of that stuff. I think Jordan Love is playing some pretty high-level football, and it’s great that we feel the same about Malik and his ability to go in there,” LaFluer said. “That’s a good problem when you have two guys that you’re really confident in.”
LaFLuer noted Willis has had back-to-back outstanding performances, and it’s an excellent spot for Green Bay to have two guys the Packers are confident can win games.
However, Love signed a four-year, $220 million extension in 2024, and he is the Packers’ quarterback of the future. The Packers’ franchise quarterback ranks No. 4 in the NFL, according to PFSN’s QB Impact.
“It’s pretty clear that Jordan is our franchise quarterback, and he is going to be. When he is healthy, he’s going to be our starter,” LaFluer said. “So, I just want to squash all that. His body of work throughout the course of three years, especially this season, I think he’s taken his game to another level.”
However, Willis’ recent performances for the Packers will likely earn him the ability to shop for a starting position in 2026. There are plenty of quarterback-needy teams, and Willis has demonstrated his ability to be successful.
