Jordan Love Drops Surprising Praise for Backup QB’s Game-Changing Moment—What Did He See?

So, what happens when your star quarterback has to take a breather after a hard hit, and yet your offense doesn’t skip a beat? That’s exactly the scene unfolding for the Green Bay Packers, as Jordan Love’s brief sideline check turned into an unexpected spotlight for backup Malik Willis. Watching Willis step in with that quiet confidence, delivering a clutch touchdown drive despite the pressure—that’s the stuff that makes you wonder if backups aren’t just waiting for their own curtain call. Love himself couldn’t help but gush about Willis’s “big-time” performance, reminding us just how crucial it is for a backup QB to be not just ready, but downright clutch when destiny calls. Let’s dive into why Willis’s emergence might be more than just a footnote in this Packers saga—and why sometimes, the hidden gems shine brightest when you least expect it.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 02: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Lambeau Field on November 02, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. — (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The Green Bay Packers dodged a bullet in their Week 11 win against the New York Giants. Quarterback Jordan Love had to leave the game briefly to get his non-throwing shoulder checked out after a big hit.

Though Love was able to return, it was good to see that the offense operated well with Malik Willis. Following the game, Love raved about the backup QB’s “big-time” performance.

“That was just a big-time job by Malik,” Love said. “It’s always tough being the backup, you gotta stay ready and you never know when that opportunity is gonna come. It’s tough, I’ve been there. But he did a good job coming in, staying ready, leading the guys to a touchdown drive. He took a big shot at the end of that. Everybody has a lot of respect and a lot of confidence in Malik when he has to come in. Big-time job by him.”

Jordan Love said that while he was in the locker room, he was watching the Packers' offense with Malik Willis at the helm.

"That was just a big-time job by Malik," he says. "It's always tough being the backup, you gotta stay ready and you never know when that opportunity is…

— zach jacobson (@zacobson) November 16, 2025

Willis entered the league as one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. His potential as a dual-threat quarterback was quite appealing at the time.

Unfortunately, he didn’t live up to those expectations with the Tennessee Titans. Ultimately, he looked better suited to be a situational player and a backup, as he’s been in Green Bay.

That being said, Willis has looked sharp in head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense whenever he’s been called upon to replace Love. That’s not to say that he should take Love’s starting spot, but a quarterback-needy team might be willing to give him a chance. He’s 26 years old, and sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery and the right system to allow a quarterback to put his woes behind him.

In the meantime, he’ll continue to work on his development and wait for his turn behind Love. Having a reliable backup is priceless, and the Packers have one of the best.

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