Malik Willis downplays revenge game narrative for Packers vs. Titans
Malik Willis finds himself in a situation few would have expected a mere month ago. The third-year pro is expected to make his second start with the Green Bay Packers against his former team, the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans traded Willis to the Packers on the eve of the 2024 NFL season for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick. The decision came just 2 1/2 years after Tennessee used a third-round pick on the Liberty product.
Willis was never given a chance to be a full-time starter with the Titans. He made just three starts with the team, all as a rookie in 2022, before the team spent a second-round pick on Will Levis during the 2023 NFL Draft. Willis remained behind Levis in 2023 after spending the 2022 season behind Ryan Tannehill and, eventually, Josh Dobbs.
POWER RANKINGS:Where Packers rank among NFL's best entering Week 3
That left some wondering whether there would be hard feelings between Willis and the Titans ahead of their Week 3 meeting.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
The Packers quarterback dumped cold water on that speculation during Wednesday's practice when he was asked if he was relishing a chance to prove the Titans wrong.
"I couldn't care less, bro," Willis replied, per The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. "I think I got paid the whole time I was there. I’m more than blessed for the opportunity they’ve given me."
Willis was drafted by the then-Titans brain trust of general manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Vrabel. Neither is with the organization any more, but Willis made it clear he is still grateful to the team regardless.
"They brought me into this league, whether those guys are there or not," he said. "That organization, they took a shot on me. [Owner] miss Amy [Adams Strunk], they did a great job by me, for all I’m concerned."
As such, it doesn't appear there will be any fiery comments or antics from Willis before Sunday's contest. His focus will remain on replicating the success he enjoyed against the Colts. He completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in that contest while rushing for 41 yards on six carries.
The only thing that could throw a wrench into Willis' plans would be the return of starting quarterback Jordan Love. The 25-year-old is dealing with an MCL injury he suffered in Week 1 but returned to Packers practice on Wednesday as a limited participant.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
