The Green Bay Packers have some questions that they need to answer this offseason regarding both their roster and coaching staff. With Jeff Hafley recently being named the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, the defensive coordinator role in Green Bay has suddenly become open. Whoever is hired for the job will be Matt LaFleur‘s fourth defensive coordinator in his going on eight seasons with the Packers.
As is the case every year, Green Bay also has some decisions to make regarding their roster. Due to their salary cap situation, they will not be able to bring many, if any, of their unrestricted free agents. This includes backup quarterback Malik Willis, who has spent the last two years as backup to quarterback Jordan Love.
Desmond Ridder appears poised to be the Green Bay Packers backup quarterback
Over the past two seasons, Willis has been an exemplary backup quarterback behind Love, who has had to miss some time for various injuries. In 2024, he missed two starts due to a sprained MCL, and this past season missed one start because of a concussion (and one because LaFleur wanted to preserve him for the NFL Playoffs).
In 11 games (three starts), Willis had a 78.7% completion percentage, 972 passing yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 134.6 passer rating.
Without a doubt, Willis is going to be looked at in free agency as a potential starter, and could join Hafley in Miami.
That being said, it would appear that Green Bay anticipated Willis leaving in free agency with one of the final roster moves that they made towards the end of the 2025 NFL season.
As fans may recall, with injuries to Love and Willis, the Packers signed veteran quarterback Desmond Ridder to their practice squad, and then to their active roster not long after.
Per Over the Cap, when Green Bay signed Ridder to their active roster, they also signed him through the 2026 NFL season, meaning that he is currently the leading candidate to be Love’s backup quarterback next year.
In 25 career games (17 starts) with the Atlanta Falcons (who drafted him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft) and Las Vegas Raiders, Ridder has a 64.0% completion percentage, 4,002 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and an 82.6 passer rating.
Of course, he is a bit of a project for LaFleur and whoever remains/is added to his offensive coaching staff, but by comparison, Willis’ numbers before landing in Green Bay were as follows:
- 53.0% completion percentage
- 350 passing yards
- no touchdowns
- three interceptions
- 49.4 passer rating
In other words, the Packers were able to turn Willis around despite his poor showing in Tennessee, and they have a bit more to work with when it comes to Ridder.
This all being said, it will be no surprise if/when Green Bay brings in an undrafted free agent or bargain-bin quarterback to compete for the role. After all, they will need some extra arms for OTA’s and training camp.
More Green Bay Packers news from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
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- Jeff Hafley hiring earning negativity from Dolphins fans
- Packers lose Jeff Hafley to AFC team
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