Malik Willis has been in Green Bay less than three weeks. He needed less than three hours to help the Packers to their first win on Sunday.
Making his first since his 2022 rookie season, Willis executed Matt LaFleur’s gameplan flawlessly in the Packers’ 16-10 win over the Colts. He threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Dontayvion Wicks – the first TD pass of his career — committed no turnovers and misfired on just two incompletions. He also got 151 rushing yards from workhorse Josh Jacobs and moved Green Bay to 1-1. More importantly, Willis moved the Packers to 1-0 after Jordan Love’s knee injury.
“There was a lot put on his plate,” LaFleur said, “and for him to be able to go out there and do what he did today, I think that speaks volumes of who he is as a person and the work that he’s put in. Just super proud of him.”
Whatever was on the plate of center Josh Myers Sunday morning revealed itself to Willis on a third-down snap. The quarterback had no choice but to tuck and run, and turned the play into a 4-yard gain. It was a minor hurdle for Willis to clear, compared to all he’s gone through since Tennessee traded him to the Packers on Aug. 26. He’s not dwelling on the trade, though.
“The season’s started now,” Willis said after the win. “When I got traded, it was a little bit emotional. I didn’t know how to feel. But with the season coming, I just had to flush all that. We can worry about it later and just understand this season doesn’t wait on anybody.”
Jacobs didn’t wait, either. He posted 128 of his 151 rushing yards in the first half, including a 34-yard burst in the opening quarter. Green Bay’s 166 first-quarter rushing yards were the most by an NFL team in that frame since Denver had 167 on Dec. 18, 2011. The last time the Packers racked up that many ground yards in any quarter was Sept. 29, 1985, per Elias Sports Bureau. Green Bay finished with 262 rushing yards.
“You’ve got to put your head down and get results, and that’s what this business is,” said Jacobs, who averaged 4.7 yards on 32 carries. “Make it happen. Who cares that the odds are against you, that you don’t got your starting quarterback? Just make it happen.”
Less than a month after leaving Nashville, Willis could start again for the Packers at Tennessee next week. Love (sprained MCL) didn’t go on injured reserve, meaning the Packers expect him back sooner rather than later.