Players around the NFL will be searching for new homes when free agency opens in a few weeks, including Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis. The 23-year-old signal-caller will be looking to find a starting opportunity, and the Atlanta Falcons have often been named as one of his potential landing spots.
This makes sense when you consider Michael Penix Jr. is coming off a season-ending injury and Kirk Cousins is widely expected to be released. Additionally, Willis is from Georgia and has a myriad of ties to the state that could give the Falcons the inside track to luring him to their roster.
As great a fit as it might appear, though, Willis could quickly be falling out of Atlanta's price range.
Malik Willis' Contract Demands Could Be Too Rich for Falcons' Taste
Spotrac is projecting Willis to garner $35.5 million annually in negotiations in the 2026 offseason. That's a huge number for a signal-caller with only six starts under his belt. Although he played well in his limited sample size (67.7% completion rate for 1,322 yards, six touchdowns to three picks, 98.9 passer rating), it's understandable if Atlanta would hesitate to pay that amount.
Even if the Falcons part ways with Cousins as expected, with a post-June 1 designation, a $22.5 million dead cap would make it harder to justify paying another QB. Penix is only due a $6.2 million cap hit in the third year of his rookie contract, making him a more affordable option if the team doesn't want to break the bank.
The Falcons' lack of a first-round pick keeps slim hopes alive that Atlanta will look to free agency for QB help. Still, there are arguments to be made that the Falcons aren't an ideal landing spot based on their recent quarterback history and the uncertainty at wide receiver after Drake London.
Even if the Falcons are willing to dip their toe in the water in Willis negotiations, they aren't likely to be atop the quarterback's list of landing spots. With this in mind, the Falcons appear more likely to bring in a cheaper option to contend with Penix for the starting job, letting other QB-needy teams compete for Willis' services instead.
While free agency doesn't offer many exciting options, the Falcons could look to the draft or to trade for a reclamation project like Anthony Richardson or Mac Jones. No matter Atlanta's answer, it seems that dreams of landing Willis aren't likely to materialize for a myriad of factors, with his quickly rising price at the top of the list.