The Green Bay Packers are riding high in the 2025 NFL season with starting quarterback Jordan Love leading the charge toward a potential Super Bowl run. However, whispers of a seismic shift in the Packers’ quarterback room have emerged, with analysts suggesting a blockbuster trade that could shake up the team’s depth chart. At the center of the speculation is a proposed swap involving current backup Malik Willis and former first-round pick Kenny Pickett, now with the Las Vegas Raiders. Could this trade proposal gain traction before the NFL trade deadline on November 4, 2025, or is it merely a pipe dream?
Malik Willis: The Rising Backup
Since arriving in Green Bay via a low-cost trade before the 2024 season, Malik Willis has revitalized his career. The former Tennessee Titans quarterback stepped into the spotlight during two spot-starts in 2024 when Jordan Love was sidelined. Willis delivered, completing 25-of-33 passes (75.8%) for 324 yards, two touchdowns, and zero turnovers, while also rushing for 114 yards and a score on 12 carries. His efficient management of head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense helped the Packers secure victories in both games, proving his value as a reliable No. 2 quarterback.
Despite his limited playing time in 2025, Willis has earned the trust of the Packers’ coaching staff. His dual-threat ability and poise under pressure have made him a valuable asset, especially as he approaches the final year of his rookie contract. However, with Willis potentially eyeing a starting role elsewhere in free agency next offseason, some analysts believe the Packers should consider upgrading their backup quarterback position to ensure long-term stability behind Love.
Kenny Pickett: A Former First-Round Talent
Enter Kenny Pickett, the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, whose career trajectory has been a rollercoaster. During his two seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback, Pickett completed 62.6% of his passes for 4,474 yards, throwing 13 touchdowns against 13 interceptions in 25 appearances. While his arm talent and first-round pedigree generated excitement early on, his tenure in Pittsburgh ended abruptly when the Steelers signed Russell Wilson in 2024, prompting a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pickett’s time in Philadelphia was underwhelming. He saw action in two games late in the 2024 season, completing 24-of-39 passes for 286 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The Eagles, unimpressed, handed the backup role to Tanner McKee and traded Pickett to the Cleveland Browns. In Cleveland, Pickett faced a four-way quarterback competition but was sidelined by a hamstring injury during the preseason. The Browns, unwilling to wait, traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders for a fifth-round pick before the 2025 roster cutdown.
Now with the Raiders, Pickett remains a backup, and his resume—while boasting decent yardage—lacks the spark to suggest he could significantly challenge Willis for Green Bay’s No. 2 spot. His uneven performance and injury history raise questions about whether he’s the “more experienced fallback” that analysts like USA Today’s Nate Davis have suggested the Packers pursue.
The Trade Proposal: A Case for Change?
Nate Davis recently floated the idea of the Packers inquiring about Pickett’s availability, arguing that Green Bay might benefit from a more seasoned backup should Jordan Love miss significant time. “Malik Willis carried the Pack in a pinch without Jordan Love last year, but he was hardly asked to operate the offense at a similar level,” Davis wrote. “Maybe he’s up to the task now … and maybe Green Bay would be wise to look at a more experienced fallback if, say, Love were to be lost for a six-week stretch.”
The logic behind the proposal is straightforward: Pickett’s two years as a starter give him more experience than Willis, who has primarily served as a backup. However, the argument falters when examining Pickett’s lackluster performance since leaving Pittsburgh and Willis’ proven ability to win games in Green Bay’s system. Trading for Pickett would require the Packers to give up assets—potentially including Willis himself—while taking on a quarterback whose ceiling appears lower than Willis’ current trajectory.
Packers’ Stance: Loyalty to Willis
The Packers have shown little interest in parting ways with Malik Willis. When the Cincinnati Bengals inquired about his availability following a significant injury to their starter Joe Burrow, Green Bay quickly shut down the conversation, per Packer Report’s Easton Butler. This suggests the organization values Willis not only as a backup but as a potential long-term piece, even if his future beyond 2025 remains uncertain.
Willis’ ability to run LaFleur’s offense efficiently, combined with his athleticism and turnover-free play, makes him a better fit for the Packers than Pickett, whose struggles in multiple systems raise red flags. Furthermore, acquiring Pickett would likely require draft capital or a player swap, a steep price for a marginal upgrade—if it can even be called that.
The Verdict: A Swap That Doesn’t Add Up
The idea of a “QB earthquake” in Green Bay makes for an intriguing headline, but the reality is far less dramatic. Malik Willis has proven his worth as a dependable backup, and his performance in 2024 demonstrates he can handle the Packers’ offense in a pinch. Kenny Pickett, despite his first-round pedigree and 4,474 career passing yards, has yet to show he can consistently elevate a team’s quarterback room.
With the NFL trade deadline looming, the Packers are better served sticking with Willis and focusing on their Super Bowl aspirations with Jordan Love at the helm. A trade for Pickett would be a step backward, not a seismic shift forward. For now, the Packers’ quarterback room remains steady, with Willis firmly entrenched as the No. 2 and no reason to rock the boat.