NFL Insider Matt Lombardo said the New York Jets are “best positioned” to win a free agency bidding war for Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis.
However, a new threat has emerged, and money may not be enough to win Willis’s attention on the open market.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz pointed out on social media that the Miami Dolphins hired a brand new general manager and head coach from the Packers, “There’s a QB from Green Bay who will be a free agent this offseason…”
Miami hired Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and Green Bay vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan to lead their new regime.
More Warnings From the High Heavens on This Potential Pairing
Schultz wasn’t the only insider who warned everybody about this possibility this offseason.
ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler spoke with industry sources in an attempt to predict the biggest moves that are set to come this offseason.
Anonymous NFL execs told Fowler that they believe Willis will end up signing with the Dolphins or the Cleveland Browns when all is said and done.
“Willis made some coin with his performance in relief of Jordan Love in Green Bay, showing dual-threat ability that a new offensive mind could mold,” Fowler explained.
“I just don’t think [the Browns] go into the season with Shedeur [Sanders] as their top option,” an anonymous NFC personnel man told Fowler. “And getting the right quarterback in the draft isn’t a guarantee based on where they pick.”
“The Browns have the Nos. 6 and 24 picks in the first round of April’s draft,” Fowler confirmed.
“No regime will know Willis’ strengths better than Miami, which just hired a brain trust of GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley from Green Bay. The Packers valued Willis’ development and Miami could bear the fruits of that labor,” Fowler added.
Jets Will Be Forced to Pivot to a New Direction
Fowler explained that if injured standout Daniel Jones returns to the Indianapolis Colts, as expected, then Willis is likely the top QB in free agency.
If he is scheduled for greener pastures that don’t include the Jets, then now what?
The silver lining to Willis potentially going elsewhere is the risk factor. Willis has only started six games in his NFL career. That is an incredibly small sample size to judge someone on.
The Jets took an upside risk when they signed Justin Fields last year. Maybe it’s time to pivot to a different kind of quarterback.
There should be plenty of proven veterans who hit the market this offseason. Some will be cap casualties, and others will be traded.
In another one of Fowler’s predictions from league execs, they expected several ex-Pro Bowlers to be available for the Jets.
Now, these names won’t titillate the fan base, but they are significant upgrades at the position. Players like Geno Smith, Kyler Murray, and Tua Tagovailoa have had seasons of respectable play.
That is where the Jets are trying to get to. They won’t win a beauty pageant, but they could win an effective pageant.
Dolphins Pose Biggest Threat to Jets Potential Free Agent QB Target