Should Malik Willis be the Cardinals' Plan at Quarterback?
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By Walter Mitchell
According to nfl.com, Packers' QB Malik Willis is the top ranked player in the 2026 Free Agent class.
If you click on this link, you will see Tony Pauline's prediction that Malik Willis is going to sign with the Arizona Cardinals.
My tweet in reaction to Pauline's prediction:
Malik Willis in 4 seasons has thrown 105/155, 67.7%, 8.3 ave, for 1,322 yards, 6 TDs to 3 ints, 98.9 RTG. In TEN, he was QB3 behind Will Levis and Mason Rudolph. He was traded to GB for a 7th round pick and was QB2 behind Jordan Love. Is there enough solid NFL tape on Willis to determine whether he has the consistent pocket toughness and staying power that are Mike LaFleur's top priorities?
My friend Jaylen's reaction:
In the 2 games Malik Willis played for the packers this year he attempted 32 total passes and the Packers went 0-2 being outscored 63-30 but this apparently warrants a 30+ million-dollar deal
I would add that while in his limited opportunities to play prior to this season, Malik held up well physically, however, this year after 2 games he was sidelined with shoulder and hamstring injuries and could not make the start for the Packers in Week 18.
What no one knows yet about Malik is the likelihood of him being to hold up physically throughout a 17-game season, while, of course, playing at a high level.
Malik's Market Value?
One figure that is being thrown around with regard to Malik's market value is a 2-year deal worth $71M. As speculated here:
Good Tape:
Have to applaud Malik's mobility, downfield vision, rushing success and passing accuracy, although on a number of his passes he tends to arch backward off his back feet, which is reminiscent of you know who.
But Wait, Matt LaFleur has told his brother he should sign Malik and is "driving the decision".
Replying to @WBJMItch
My response:
The older brother already helped to drive his younger brother's decision to retain Nick Rallis as DC. Any head coach worth his salt knows you hire your own guys. Malik played in 2 games this season for the older brother but could not play a 3rd due to shoulder and hamstring injuries. The older brother cannot be trusted, and quite frankly this could be his last season in GB, especially with Gannon as DC.
No Better Options?
Replying to
Well, we aren't going to get any more data to look like and are there better options out there? Seems unlikely, so let's roll the dice.
There are better options out there, Mike.
1. Jacoby Brissett --- Mike LaFleur would be wise to see if Jacoby, given the confidence and trust his teammates have in him, can be the Cardinals' version of Matthew Stafford in LaFleur's McVay-style of offense.
2. Trade for Tanner McKee, Davis Mills or Will Levis who have very affordable salaries. Have one of them compete with Jacoby for the starter's role in 2026 and then make a determination whether the fit is strong enough to warrant a contract extension. This tactic would leave open the opportunity for the Cardinals to draft their QBOF in Round 1 of the 2027 NFL Draft. The QB who the Cardinals appear to love is Brandon Sorsby, the Cincinnato QB who will be playing for Texas Tech this season.
3. Find a way to draft Ty Simpson, Garrett Nussmeier or Drew Allar. Each in his own way feels like a potentially nifty fit in Mike LaFleur's pocket powered system, given their time to develop.
Conclusion:
There is a lot to like about Malik Willis' talents. However, in light of what appears to be a robust market for him wherein some team may be willing to pay him $30M+ on a 2–3 year deal, in the Cardinals' current situation, it would make the most sense to explore less expensive and potentially even more talented options for this season (who are easily affordable), while keeping an eye on their ability to draft one of the top QBs in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Do you agree or disagree? What QB plan for the Cardinals are you hoping for? Red Rain Podcast 205 is scheduled for tomorrow am. We are planning on talking about Rondale Moore, Malik Willis, QB options and the players we think are the most attractive for the Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Draft. Like last week, we would welcome your thoughts and questions.
Frankly, ridiculous to even consider adding any young QB to the mix this season. WHY, when there a at least 3 "Can't miss Franchise Ready QBOFs and none that we can draft this draft.
ReplyDeleteMalik Willis was never a “can’t-miss QB1 of the future” type prospect, and even in a weak class he was viewed as high-upside but very risky. Compared to what early looks suggest about the 2027 QB crop, he’d still fall well short of “can’t miss” tier. The Cards can't afford to draft another 7 season mistake! This squad has holes across the board with undeveloped talent-fill the holes and coach up these kids
Looking forward to hearing you elaborate on the Cardinals' QB situation tomorrow, Sam, on Red Rain Podcast 205. Another topic to add to Rondale Moore's passing, QB options, what the Cardinals' draft priorities should be --- is a discussion about Cardinals' fans (including Kyle Odegard) cheering for another tank job in 2026. Get ready folks for that doozy.
DeleteIMO Brissett has earned an opportunity to be the guy this year. I would love to see what Lafleur could do with JB for a season since he seems to fit exactly what he is looking for in a QB. To take a flyer on a QB (especially an expensive one) and ask these receivers to try to create a rapport with yet another QB at a time when they all are desperate for stats and already have a rapport with JB, seems bonkers to me. Take a late round flyer on someone that JB can help be a professional and give them the time to develop seems like the answer to me. If it doesn't work, the 2027 QB class awaits but I think JB has a chance and at his age, he still should have 5 good years left - a lifetime in NFL years. Sometimes, the best way to build up good football karma is reward the good behaviour and keep the good guys happy.
DeleteWith the progress our OL showed toward the end of last year and the depth of the edge group in this years draft class (as well as some free agents), what would you think of a small trade back and selecting Love this year (or even Price)? It will certainly help out Lafleurs' offence and allow our OL to stop playing the game on hard mode.
Can't believe Odegard actually sent out a tweet to tank! Some of the stuff I see with him and even the PHNX boys makes me wonder how much influence they really have?
Odegard in particular seems to have it out for Monti but I think the job he has been doing is
really flying under the radar. When Kyler is traded or even if he is cut, we will have more combined cap space than any team in the NFL in 2027 and 2028. We are currently in 11th place for this year with more opportunity to restructure or cut players for cap gain than most teams in the NFL, if it were necessary or needed.
We also have more draft capital than all of the NFL with the exception of 4 or 5 teams.
He has had some low risk misses in free agency but this last year were pretty much all home runs.
He also has this roster full of cost controlled, young talent. He has found gems in the draft and we can't say for sure there are any busts yet. If fact, most people's number one complaint was that the coaching staff (which I am guessing is heavily pushed to be inexperienced and cheap by the owner) wasn't able to develop the players This would lead to the conclusion that the roster is even more talented than we see week in and out.
In Monti's 3 years, the team went from 4 wins, to 8 wins, and then fell back to 4 wins when we were expecting a push to the playoffs. There was an incredible number or injuries that heavily impacted the season. If we consider a return to health, our new DB's coach having a big impact on our style of play with a talented back end, Lafleurs' offence and his understanding of how to attack division rivals, the fact that the 49ers, Rams and Seahawks all lost key staff members and the Seahawks could have a new owner that could undo everything they have accomplished - is a 25% chance that we could win the west this coming year too high?
What happened to Max Melton, both last year and with his tweet after NR was retained this year? Do anyone have any insight on this?
Couldn't agree more 61. The Willis situation reminds me of what went down with Kolb. Please, just no. At this point, I would rather see a camp battle between KM and JB. Reaching for ANY QB this year would be on par with the horrible choice to extend KM.
DeleteQB /M Willis: I am not sold on Malik Willis at this stage he is a younger version of J Brissett in my mind Cardinals keep Brissett. I'm in boat of waiting to fill QB position with a late round (4) flyer in '26 draft (Nussmeier, Chambliss, Beck) could all be decent candidates. If MO can get someone like Mariotta to be competition for Brissett all the better (and it wont cost 30M). If we do not get a QB in draft no big-deal. This is a building year for LeFleur. I believe priority should be in fixing the Edge & O-Line positions.
ReplyDeleteR Moore - Sad, Sad, Sad for he and his family. It goes to show the fragility of the mind. Too young.
Draft - I'm firmly of opinion Cardinals cannot miss out on one of the edge players with #3 pick. I like Bain or Bailey over Reese; I like Iheanchor with #34 (Simpson may be at play here, which wouldn't be a bad play - just prefer to fix RT position); OG in Rnd 3 QB in Rnd 4 (Nussmeier would be nice).
Tanking: It is never acceptable to tank a whole season in my opinion it facilitates the losing tradition, fails to motivate players to reach greatness, and allows players and coaches to become lazy/apathetic. I feel as if cardinals (MB) has dictated tanking and it has never ever worked and created any advantage. Whilst I do not expect Cardinals to win more than half their games in '26 (or even have a winning season), it is important that LeFleur builds a competitive team that pulls off a couple of surprises and begin to build a little respect in the league rather than a doormat.
No way. Jacoby is a better option and this team can’t afford a free agent qb with their cap situation Take D. Allar later in the draft to develop. So far this HC has already demonstrated that he clueless. If this GM had any common sense he would have hired Marvin.Lewis to mentor every coach in that building but this GM is as dumb about football as his owner. Take Bain at #3 then add to both the OL and DLs. I don’t see this team competing in the division anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteAny other QB after Mendoza is developmental. Dont reach in the first round. Take one of the Miami players. Don't give up premium draft picks for Malik Willis. He's a back up QB
ReplyDelete