Quarterback Malik Willis made his fourth NFL career start on Sunday, stepping in for the injured Jordan Love, and managed to lead the Green Bay Packers to a 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Completing 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 41 yards, Willis adhered closely to coach Matt LaFleur’s game plan—except for one memorable third-down play in the third quarter.
With the Packers up 10-0, Willis made an unexpected decision not to throw the ball. He had a good reason, though, and it was a little more, shall we say, unconventional than most might expect.
“I asked Malik why he didn’t make the pass on that third down,” LaFleur explained. “He told me Josh [Myers], our center, had thrown up on the ball. I was like, ‘That’s a first for me.’”
Instead of throwing a pass with a soiled football, Willis opted to hold onto it and ran for three yards. A gutsy move, but one that LaFleur didn’t blame him for.
“I can’t imagine trying to throw a ball with vomit on it,” LaFleur admitted, with a hint of understanding for the unique situation Willis faced.
Though it might have been a gross predicament, Willis’ decision to adapt in the moment demonstrated his maturity and quick thinking under pressure. It was the kind of veteran decision that LaFleur respected.
Willis has come a long way from his challenging rookie season in 2022 with the Tennessee Titans, where he struggled, completing only 50.8% of his passes and finishing with a 42.8 passer rating. Sunday’s game, his first start since December 2022, marked a significant step forward in his development.
“I’ve always been confident,” Willis said after the game. “It’s really about getting those reps and finding that rhythm. In Tennessee, I didn’t get the practice reps leading up to the games, so it was tough to get in a groove.”
Packers center Josh Myers praised Willis’ calmness in the huddle, even in the face of adversity. “His play-calling was clear, he wasn’t panicked. He had total control,” Myers said. “He did a great job.”
Despite an unusual and messy moment, Willis proved he could handle the pressure—and anything else thrown his way.
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