Malik Willis Free-Agency Frenzy: NFL Teams Ready to Break the Bank in 2026

GREEN BAY — Malik Willis may have spent the past two seasons backing up Jordan Love, but the 26-year-old is suddenly the hottest name of the 2026 NFL free-agency cycle. Multiple league executives believe the dynamic quarterback will command “at least $30 million per season,” a figure that would nearly triple Sam Darnold’s 2026 cash payout and eclipse several recent Super Bowl starters’ deals. Why the bidding war for a passer with only 22 career appearances? • Explosive efficiency: According to CBS Sports charting, Willis posted a perfect 158.3 rating on throws 20-plus yards downfield over the past two seasons, completing 13-of-16 deep attempts for 456 yards and five scores. • Dual-threat upside: In limited 2025 action he added 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 22 carries, reminding scouts of his Liberty highlight reel. • Age and trajectory: Drafted in 2022 by Tennessee and traded to Green Bay for a conditional seventh-rounder, Willis hits the market entering his prime with little mileage on his arm. Interested suitors are already lining up. Arizona is evaluating whether pairing Willis with new head coach Brian Johnson could jump-start a post-Kyler reboot. Pittsburgh, armed with cap space and a playoff-ready roster, has reportedly placed a “competitive but disciplined” price tag on the QB. Even Green Bay hasn’t ruled out using the franchise tag, though insiders say that route would trigger “a cascade of roster problems” for the cap-conscious Packers. Contract projection • Length: 3–4 years • Average per year: $30–33 million • Guarantees: 55–60 percent at signing Front offices view Willis as a high-variance “lottery ticket,” but escalating quarterback prices and a thin draft class are pushing his market beyond traditional backup money. What’s next The legal tampering window opens March 10, and Willis’ camp is expected to meet virtually with at least five franchises that weekend. If the numbers hold, the former third-round pick could become the first player since Kirk Cousins to turn limited starts into a blockbuster, fully guaranteed payday. Bottom line Malik Willis’ blend of arm strength, mobility and untapped upside has flipped the 2026 offseason script. Whether he lands in Arizona, Pittsburgh or an unexpected destination, the quarterback most fans once labeled a developmental project is poised to become the face of free agency—and, quite possibly, someone’s franchise.