In the absence of quarterback Jordan Love, Matt LaFleur announced on Monday that Malik Willis will be the starter until No. 10 returns.
Willis has limited starting experience, having played with the Tennessee Titans in 2022. Despite the lack of reps, the Green Bay Packers shouldn’t simplify things for him too much.
When a team launches its backup quarterback into the fire, the last thing you want to do as a head coach is overcook the scheme and complicate things. However, dumbing things down to an extreme can send an indirect message that there’s a lack of confidence in that quarterback to step up and deliver.
LaFleur must walk a tightrope as he creates a blueprint for Willis and Green Bay’s attack on Indianapolis.
How can LaFleur devise a plan that shows Willis the team’s confidence in him yet doesn’t overwhelm him?
In Willis’s first NFL start in 2022, the Titans hit the road to take on the Houston Texans. Tennessee came out on top 17-10 against a 1-5-1 Texas squad, but the game plan reeked of a coaching staff that didn’t trust their quarterback.
Willis attempted 10 total passes that Sunday afternoon compared to 45 team rushes for the Titans. When has that ever been anything close to normal in the NFL? Go look at some boxscores from the 1950s for that answer.
The following week, the Titans lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, and Willis attempted only 17 passes compared to 29 Tennessee runs.
Those are the types of strategic mistakes that can shatter any confidence a young quarterback might have.
The ultimate goal is to win every Sunday, and you have to create an offensive game plan that will put them in the best position to score. But Tennessee’s extremes had to have taken a mental toll on Willis. He knew, the Titans knew, everyone watching knew: The team didn’t trust him to sling it around.
LaFleur can’t make the same mistake.
I’m not suggesting that the Packers should ask Willis to throw it 40 times on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Still, finding a happier balance can lead to success and give the young quarterback out of Liberty a jolt of confidence.
Remember that the Packers traded a pick to acquire Willis just a couple of weeks ago. If they believe he can be the backup of the future, they’ll have to cut him loose to some extent during this stretch without Love to see what they have.
LaFleur and Co. must tread a fine line, but that’s their challenge over the next few weeks.
Going out on Sunday and feeding running back Josh Jacobs the ball 40 times isn’t the answer. It could provide short-term results that yield long-term ramifications to Willis.
One thing that will be fascinating to track is how LaFleur puts Willis in a spot to succeed. Willis flourished at Liberty, often gaining yardage with his legs. Could Green Bay mix in some read-option or speed-option plays?
Green Bay’s plan for Willis can’t be the same as it would be for Love. That’s not a knock on Willis, nor does it contradict the idea about not dumbing things down too significantly. The two quarterbacks play different styles and have some other strengths. Green Bay’s offense will have to adjust with Willis under center in some form or fashion, and that’s fine.
For what it’s worth, LaFleur has already backed Willis. He was crystal clear on Monday.
He’s put a lot of time and effort into this thing. He’s grinded. He’s learned the terminology and is able to spit out the play calls, and we’ve got confidence in him. I think if he’s given a full week of preparation, a full week of practice, I’ve got confidence that he’ll go out there and perform at a high level.
Green Bay can lean on the run more but also show Willis they believe in him. If that’s the blueprint, most Packers fans will sign up for it. Willis will have to make plays, though, whether it be with his arm or his legs. The Colts and other opponents will likely stack the box early and often until Willis shows he can be a game-breaker.
He has the weapons around him to do so. Tennessee never gave him that shot. They hid Willis and indicated they’d go down running the ball instead of letting Willis air it out. Green Bay can use that as a reminder of what not to do.
Sunday is Willis’ first opportunity to show he’s better than the Titans made him out to be. He just has to keep the Packers afloat until Love returns.
