Green Bay Packers Urged To Sign Former Top 5 Pick To Replace Malik Willis

The Green Bay Packers may need a new backup quarterback this offseason, and one analyst believes a former No. 3 overall pick could be the perfect candidate. With current backup Malik Willis expected to draw interest as a potential starter in free agency, the Packers could turn to another high-upside reclamation project: Trey Lance.

Green Bay Packers Could Look To Trey Lance

The suggestion comes from Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, who identified Lance as a logical target for Green Bay to place behind starter Jordan Love. The move would align with head coach Matt LaFleur’s track record of successfully identifying and developing quarterback talent.

Willis’s Likely Departure Creates a Void

Malik Willis played a crucial role for the Packers this past season, stepping in and performing admirably when called upon. His solid play has likely earned him a chance to compete for a starting job elsewhere, making his return to Green Bay improbable.

Should Willis depart, the Packers would be left with a significant void at the backup quarterback position. The only other quarterback currently on the roster is Clayton Tune, who is on a one-year deal. This makes finding a capable and affordable understudy for Jordan Love a top priority for the front office this spring.

The Case for Trey Lance

This is where Trey Lance enters the picture. The former top prospect’s career has been derailed by injuries and circumstance since being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. After suffering a season-ending ankle injury early in his second year, he lost his starting job to Brock Purdy. Lance was later traded to the Dallas Cowboys and spent the 2025 season as a backup for the Los Angeles Chargers behind Justin Herbert.

Now an unrestricted free agent, Lance represents the exact type of player LaFleur has had success with: a physically gifted quarterback whose value has dipped. At just 25 years old, Lance still possesses the dual-threat ability that made him such an intriguing prospect. Knox suggests that his skill set is similar to what Willis brought to the Packers’ offense.

A Low-Risk, High-Reward Opportunity

For Green Bay, pursuing Lance would be a low-risk move with considerable upside. He is not expected to command a large salary, likely signing a deal similar to the one-year, $2 million contract he played on in 2025. This would provide the Packers with an affordable backup who has untapped potential.

Under LaFleur’s guidance, Lance could have the opportunity to stabilize his career and develop in a proven, quarterback-friendly system. While he has only started six games in his five-year career, a change of scenery and a defined role as a backup could be exactly what he needs. For a Packers team that values quarterback development, taking a chance on a talent like Lance makes a great deal of sense.