NBC analyst Chris Simms may have gone a bit too far this Thursday with his commentary on quarterback Malik Willis.
Willis, a former third-round pick, started his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans. He was then traded to the Green Bay Packers in August 2024. That turned out to be the best move for his career. The dual-threat quarterback has 972 passing yards, 261 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns in three starts in Matt LaFleur's offense. Now, he'll be able to cash in as a free agent.
Simms was asked about Willis' outlook for the 2026 season during an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show" this morning. Let's just say he's very confident in the Liberty product.
"I think Malik Willis is a superstar," Simms said. "I would think he's the crowning gem of guys that will be out there as far as free agents. ... He's got a special arm, he's got special mobility, he knows how to run the offense."
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There's no doubt Willis showed serious potential this past season. However, fans aren't ready to crown him as a superstar.
"This is why half the teams in the league can’t ever find a franchise QB you people can’t recognize journeyman from real elites this is a fact," one fan replied. "More than half the teams in the league go this route and never get out of the gutter because they listen to this crap Willis is Mid."
"Malik Willis is a starting quarterback in the league," a second fan said. "That’s a given. But to already label him as a ‘superstar’ is really ridiculous. Let’s all see how he performs with another team in another system unlike Green Bay’s."
"Chris Simms said that Zach Wilson was the best QB in his class. ‘Superstar’ is a strong word to use for a backup who soon will be on his third team, so we’ll see," another fan wrote.
Where could Malik Willis end up?
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins are expected to be in the market for Willis.
The Dolphins now have a general manager and head coach combination with ties to Willis, so they might be considered the favorite in these sweepstakes.
"Two teams I’ll be watching to pursue Malik Willis, if they can find someone to take their current quarterbacks, are the Cardinals and Dolphins," Fowler wrote. "The ties are obvious: New Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley got a head start on Willis from Green Bay, and new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur can get intimate knowledge of Willis’ game from LaFleur’s brother, Matt."
Free agency will begin at 4 p.m. ET on March 11.