By Loveth 
Josh Jacobs is a fan of his Green Bay Packers teammate Malik Willis — not just for what he does on the field, but who he is off it. The two go way back to their college days when Jacobs played at Alabama and Willis was at Auburn, so they’ve seen each other grow over the years.
Last season, Willis got a second chance with the Packers after being traded from the Titans. It didn’t take long for him to make an impression. Just 19 days after his first practice, he stepped in as the starting quarterback when Jordan Love got hurt. He led Green Bay to wins over both the Colts and the Titans and ended up playing in seven games. His stats? Solid — 550 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions, plus another 138 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Jacobs says Willis’ rise is no surprise. “He’s a great dude, first and foremost,” he said on the “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast. “Hard worker. Always puts the spotlight on others instead of himself. You just want to root for a guy like that.”
Jacobs even told Willis straight up: “Keep putting this kind of stuff on film, and teams are gonna come calling. You’re playing too well not to get another shot.”
It’s not just about talent, either. Jacobs said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and his staff have helped Willis simplify the game and get back to just playing. According to Willis, it’s the first time he’s really been taught how to play quarterback at this level.
Looking back, Willis had a limited run at Auburn as Jarrett Stidham’s backup but broke out at Liberty before getting drafted in 2022. His first stint in Tennessee didn’t go great, but he’s found new life in Green Bay.
As for Jacobs, he’s coming off a strong first year with the Packers after joining as a free agent — over 1,300 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He thinks the team’s only getting better, especially with so many young, hungry players. He believes they’re close to being serious contenders.
The Packers lost to the Eagles in the playoffs, but Jacobs says injuries held them back. “If we’d won, half our team wouldn’t have even been able to play the next game,” he admitted. But with better health and a little more experience, he’s confident: “We’re gonna figure it out.”