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Malik Willis Sets Date to Sign $60M Deal With Cardinals — Sends Emotional Farewell to Packers Fans

Green Bay, Wisconsin – 9/3/2026

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis is preparing to begin the next chapter of his NFL career after confirming plans to officially sign a $60 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals once the league’s new year opens.

League sources indicate that the deal — expected to span two years — will become official when free agency transactions are finalized, potentially positioning Willis as the Cardinals’ next starting quarterback.

The Arizona Cardinals are emerging as the leading candidate to sign Malik Willis, who has performed well over the past two seasons as a backup to Jordan Love in Green Bay. pic.twitter.com/bvT1zLqgiU

— Jeremy Fowler (@SmartTrue197118) March 9, 2026

The move comes after two seasons in Green Bay where Willis served as the primary backup behind star quarterback Jordan Love. During that time, he developed a reputation for his athleticism, leadership, and steady improvement within the Packers’ system.

Although his time in Green Bay did not include a full-time starting role, Willis became a respected presence inside the locker room and a fan favorite among Packers supporters.

As news of the upcoming contract spread, Willis took a moment to deliver an emotional message to the Green Bay community that supported him during his time with the team.

“Although I’m no longer here, I will always consider myself a member of the Packers for life. Green Bay gave me some of the best years of my career. When the time comes for me to retire, I want it to happen wearing a Packers jersey.”

The message quickly resonated with Packers fans, many of whom praised the quarterback for the humility and appreciation he showed toward the organization that helped shape the early stages of his career.

Willis originally joined Green Bay with hopes of developing behind Love while learning the Packers’ offensive system. Coaches frequently praised his work ethic and his willingness to grow both as a passer and as a leader.

Now, with the opportunity to compete for a starting role in Arizona, Willis appears ready to take the next step in his career.

The Cardinals are currently reshaping their roster as they look to build a new offensive identity, and Willis’ combination of arm strength, mobility, and playmaking ability could make him a key piece of that plan.

Still, even as he prepares to wear a new uniform, Willis made it clear that his connection to Green Bay will remain a permanent part of his story.

For Malik Willis, the journey forward may begin in Arizona — but a piece of his heart will always belong to the Packers.

 
 
 

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Packers are ALL-IN on a PRO BOWL MONSTER who just SHATTERED his career-high with 12 SACKS! The QB Hunter is COMING HOME
Packers are ALL-IN on a PRO BOWL MONSTER who just SHATTERED his career-high with 12 SACKS! The QB Hunter is COMING HOME! Over the past few days, the Green Bay Packers have aggressively reshaped their edge-rusher group. The team traded away 2025 No. 2 edge defender and former first-round pick Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Shortly afterward, rotational standout Kingsley Enagbare left for the New York Jets on a one-year, $10 million deal. Now Green Bay is actively looking for a veteran presence to stabilize a young and unproven edge room. According to Packer Report’s Easton Butler, Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat has formally requested a trade this week — and the Packers are among the teams showing serious interest. Butler posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday: “Cardinals EDGE Josh Sweat has requested a trade this week, per a source. The Packers and Eagles are both reportedly interested in him. Philly is trying to find another star on the DL, after losing Phillips to Carolina.”   The Eagles, Sweat’s original team, are also pushing to bring the 28-year-old back to Philadelphia, creating immediate competition for Green Bay. Packers Could Benefit From More Experience at Edge Rusher Green Bay’s current edge group is heavy on youth but light on proven production. The Packers still have 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness (13th overall), second-year players Collin Oliver and Barryn Sorrell, and undrafted free agent Brenton Cox Jr., who just signed a one-year extension. None of those names currently project as a reliable No. 2 rusher capable of forming a true one-two punch. Van Ness showed real progress late in 2025 and earned a strong 75.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, yet he finished the season with only 1.5 sacks. That is where a player like Sweat would immediately change the equation. The former Eagles and Cardinals edge defender has recorded two double-digit sack seasons in the last four years and set a new career high with 12 sacks in 2025. His experience and consistent pressure generation would give the Packers exactly the veteran complement they lack.   What Would It Take to Trade for Josh Sweat? Sweat signed a four-year contract last offseason that carries a manageable $18.1 million cap hit in each of the 2026–2028 seasons. That number is considered reasonable for a proven pass rusher, and another strong year could even lead to a renegotiation similar to what Jonathan Greenard received. Now turning 29 later this month and entering his ninth NFL season, Sweat still has plenty left in the tank despite being under-utilized early in his career. Most evaluators believe a mid-third-round to early-fourth-round draft pick would be the fair compensation range. However, if the Eagles or another contender gets aggressive, the price could climb as high as a late second-round selection. With training camp just months away and a young core needing guidance, the Packers appear motivated to add a Pro Bowl-caliber edge rusher who has already asked to leave Arizona. Whether they can outbid Philadelphia remains to be seen, but Green Bay’s reported interest signals they are serious about upgrading the position this offseason.

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