Malik Willis

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Titans' Malik Willis Makes NFL Debut as Ryan Tannehill Benched After 2 INTs vs. Bills

Sep 20, 2022
NASHVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 11: Malik Willis #7 of the Tennessee Titans warms up prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants at Nissan Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 11: Malik Willis #7 of the Tennessee Titans warms up prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants at Nissan Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Malik Willis made his NFL debut, replacing starter Ryan Tannehill in the third quarter of Monday night's game against the Buffalo Bills.

Tannehill was benched after throwing for 117 yards and two interceptions on 11-of-20 passing. Willis is now the first rookie quarterback to see game action this season.

The Bills had taken a 41-7 lead on a pick-six by Matt Milano, which sent Tannehill to the bench. The veteran was more effective in the season opener against the New York Giants, throwing for 266 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers, though the Titans lost on a late field goal.

Willis was the third quarterback taken in the 2022 draft when Tennessee selected him with a third-round pick. He had initially been projected to be a possible first-round pick, but there weren't many quarterback-needy teams. The Titans took the chance to secure their signal-caller of the future when he fell down the draft board.

The 23-year-old is known for his dual-threat ability, as he rushed for 1,822 yards and 27 touchdowns in his two seasons at Liberty while also throwing for 5,107 yards and 47 scores. He adds a different dimension to the Tennessee offense because of his willingness to utilize his athleticism.

Prior to the start of the season, the Titans were hoping to bring Willis along slowly in his development.

"Naturally there's going to be a learning curve," offensive coordinator Todd Downing said in August. "He is a very gifted thrower that has great ball speed and has an accurate ball. There are probably times when he got away with things collegiately that he's not going to be able to get away with in the pros. Tying his feet to his progressions and helping the timing, there will be a major step in the process. He's made strides and realizing that he can trust that process."

After Monday, the process is now accelerated, and there's a chance this won't be the last time we see Willis this season.

Titans' Malik Willis Says 'I Can't Continue to Rely' on My Legs to Make Plays in NFL

Aug 12, 2022
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 11: Malik Willis #7 of the Tennessee Titans attempts a pass before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 11, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 11: Malik Willis #7 of the Tennessee Titans attempts a pass before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 11, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Malik Willis flashed his next-level athleticism during his preseason debut against the Baltimore Ravens—perhaps a little too much, if you ask the rookie quarterback.

“I just made up for it with my legs. Can't continue to rely on that, though," Willis told reporters, admitting he missed some reads in the passing game. "But that's what the preseason is for—so you can just see those things against a live defense, one we hadn't played before.”

Willis completed six of his 11 passes for 107 yards while rushing for 38 yards on five carries. The third-round pick had a pair of highlight reel plays, beating several Ravens to the edge on a seven-yard touchdown run and connecting with Racey McMath on a 48-yard deep ball.

Still, Titans coach Mike Vrabel wasn't satisfied with Willis' decision making in the passing game.

"He needs to try to throw the ball when guys are open, be more decisive," Vrabel told reporters. "We'll evaluate that, see if there's a timing issue or what's going on. Wanted to get him out there, see how he responds. There were some good plays and obviously some plays we're gonna have to look at the timing on the release and if we're making the right decisions."

The Titans are expected to give Willis a full redshirt this season behind Ryan Tannehill, so any concerns can be worked on behind the scenes.

That said, Vrabel noted he pulled Willis earlier than he planned because Willis was missing open receivers. It's hard to find a good reasoning behind that decision. Preseason is, at its very core, about developing players in an exhibition setting. The Titans aren't going to suddenly find out they have a star in Logan Woodside, who replaced Willis and struggled mightily, completing 14 of 24 passes for 102 yards and two interceptions.

Preseason should be the time the Titans allow Willis to develop on his game and start to work the kinks out.

Titans' Mike Vrabel Says Malik Willis Must 'Be More Decisive' Throwing the Football

Aug 12, 2022
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Malik Willis #7 of the Tennessee Titans rolls out to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on August 11, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Malik Willis #7 of the Tennessee Titans rolls out to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on August 11, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said rookie quarterback Malik Willis has room for improvement as a passer after Thursday's 23-10 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Willis made some highlight-reel plays with his legs in his debut, including a seven-yard touchdown run, but he completed a modest six of his 11 throws for 107 yards and no touchdowns. He was also sacked twice.

"He needs to try to throw the ball when guys are open, be more decisive," Vrabel told reporters. "We'll evaluate that, see if there's a timing issue or what's going on. Wanted to get him out there, see how he responds. There were some good plays and obviously some plays we're gonna have to look at the timing on the release and if we're making the right decisions."

Willis' progression is in the spotlight because of the slide he suffered during the 2022 NFL draft. Once viewed as a possible early first-round selection, he slid to the Titans with the No. 86 overall pick in the third round.

After starting his college career at Auburn, he transferred to Liberty ahead of the 2020 season for a shot at more playing time.

He starred for the Flames, tallying 74 total touchdowns (47 passing and 27 rushing) across 23 appearances, albeit against lesser competition than he would have faced in the SEC.

While Willis fits the mold of a modern quarterback with the arm strength to make a variety of throws and the ability to make key plays with his legs, the biggest question mark was how quickly he'd learn to read and take advantage of weaknesses in NFL defenses.

It's only one preseason game, but Vrabel's comments make it clear the coaching staff believes that area remains very much a work in progress.

Willis agreed with his coach's assessment, saying he's got "a lot to look at on film" after his first NFL outing.

"I should have done better," Willis said. "Like I said, it's a learning experience and you have to take it for what it is. It's preseason, but it's an opportunity at the same time, so I'm just going to try and continue to work and watch through the film and just keep on going."

Ryan Tannehill is locked in as the Titans' starter for 2022, so there isn't immediate time pressure on the 23-year-old Atlanta native, but the coaching staff would probably still like to see some tangible progress throughout the preseason.

Barring injuries, Willis may not see another meaningful in-game snap until 2023 after the exhibition slate ends, so this is his chance to take advantage of some expansive playing time.

Tennessee returns to action next Saturday when it hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Titans' Malik Willis Awes Twitter with Athleticism in Preseason Opener vs. Ravens

Aug 12, 2022
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Malik Willis had a solid debut Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens, and he drew rave reviews on Twitter thanks to a handful of plays that showcased his athletic prowess.

The 23-year-old finished the first half having completed 6-of-11 passes for 107 yards, in addition to rushing for 21 yards and a touchdown on four carries.

Willis got out to a rough start in the passing game, but began to pick things up late in the first quarter and early in the second quarter. The 2022 third-round pick's performance was highlighted by a 7-yard touchdown run with 14:18 remaining in the second quarter.

But the highlight-reel plays didn't stop there.

Willis' passing performance was much better in the second quarter as he began to settle in. He was lauded for his "cannon" of an arm after completing a 48-yard pass to Racey McMath and then completing a Patrick Mahomes-esque sidearm pass shortly after.

The majority of concerns early in the game highlighted how "raw" Willis looked in Tennessee's first few series. He struggled to complete passes and the Titans appeared to be protecting him in his debut.

Ultimately, fans expected Willis to be quite raw in his rookie season. However, he showed flashes of his potential on Thursday night, which has fans excited for his future in the NFL.

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The Titans' next preseason game is on Aug. 20 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Willis puts together another impressive performance, fans will only continue to hype up his NFL potential.

Report: Titans' Malik Willis Likely to Redshirt; TEN 'Happy' with QB's Progression

Aug 10, 2022
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis takes part in drills during training camp at the NFL football team's practice facility Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis takes part in drills during training camp at the NFL football team's practice facility Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

The Tennessee Titans used a third-round pick to select Liberty's Malik Willis at this year's NFL Draft, but barring an injury to starter Ryan Tannehill, it's unlikely he'll see the field this year.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler: "Willis is very clearly the developmental quarterback, and even when he gets second-team reps, the goal appears to be letting him redshirt behind the scenes."

Fowler said that the Titans "are happy with his progression overall," adding "I don't get the sense the Titans are going to roll Willis out for a Wildcat-type package. He will be stashed."

Before the draft, Willis was a candidate to not only be the first quarterback off the board, but to also be a top-10 pick. Instead, his slide was one of the stories of the event, as he surprisingly dropped into the third round before Tennessee ended his descent.

Fellow quarterbacks Kenny Pickett (No. 20 overall to Pittsburgh) and Desmond Ridder (No. 74 overall to Atlanta) came off the board before Willis.

While Willis is likely to spend the upcoming season as Tannehill's understudy, head coach Mike Vrabel has been impressed with his young quarterback thus far during training camp.

"I think his ability to move on to the next play, to be able to process things quickly and understand when (a play) was a mistake and being able to be coached has been great," he told reporters. "As we move forward here, in some of the stuff that we're doing, to be able to handle the operation (and) making sure it's clean (is a priority). His ability to recover from a snap that he wasn't at his best, I think he's done a really nice job."

The question is when Willis might get the chance to push for the starting gig. Tannehill is under contract through the 2023 season and has played well in Tennessee.

While he took a step back last year after his excellent 2021 campaign (3,819 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions), throwing for 3,734 yards, 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while completing 67.2 percent of his passes, he still led the team to the playoffs for the third straight year.

Come the postseason, Tannehill hasn't been able to get the team over the hump, and it's clear that the Titans wanted a long-term contingency plan, hence the selection of Willis.

But for now, it remains Tannehill's team. Willis will be brought along slowly, and likely won't see the field outside of garbage time in 2022.

Malik Willis Agrees to 4-year Rookie Contract with Titans Before Training Camp

Jul 23, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 03: Malik Willis #QB16 of Liberty throws during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 03: Malik Willis #QB16 of Liberty throws during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

One of the last remaining unsigned picks from the 2022 NFL draft is finally under contract.

The Tennessee Titans announced Saturday that Malik Willis has signed his four-year rookie deal.

Per Spotrac, the contract value for the No. 86 pick is $5.2 million with a $932,800 signing bonus.

Saturday marked the first day for Titans rookies to report to training camp. Veterans will join them Tuesday.

Willis was the last remaining unsigned player from Tennessee's draft class. There are still nine players who have yet to agree to terms on their rookie deals, including second-round picks David Ojabo (Baltimore Ravens), Jaquan Brisker (Carolina Panthers) and Andrew Booth Jr. (Minnesota Vikings).

Matt Corral, who was selected eight picks after Willis at No. 94 overall by the Carolina Panthers, is the only unsigned quarterback from the 2022 draft.

Going into the draft, there was speculation that Willis could be the first quarterback off the board and potentially a top-10 pick. The 23-year-old was a bit of an unknown by virtue of making his name as the starting quarterback at Liberty.

Willis did show off his tremendous skill set during his two-year stint with the Flames. He threw for 5,107 yards, ran for 1,822 yards and accounted for 74 touchdowns (47 passing, 27 rushing) in 23 starts from 2020-21.

Given the uncertainty around many of the quarterbacks in this year's draft class, several teams were able to take advantage of the board by getting them later than expected before the first round began.

Kenny Pickett was the only signal-caller taken in Round 1 (No. 20 by the Pittsburgh Steelers). It marked the first time since 2013 that only one quarterback was taken on Day 1 of the draft.

The Titans ultimately moved up in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders to select Willis with the 22nd pick in the third round.

Coming off a 12-5 record last season, Ryan Tannehill figures to remain Tennessee's starting quarterback for the entire 2022 campaign. The 33-year-old is signed through 2023, but the Titans could save $17.8 million against the cap if he is released or traded after this season.

Willis' raw potential makes him an intriguing option to eventually become the Titans' starting quarterback. He may not get an opportunity to take the reins in 2022, but offensive coordinator Todd Downing could find ways to use his arm strength and running ability in certain packages.

Malik Willis Has 'Worked Extensively' with Titans QB Coach on Throwing Mechanics

Jun 30, 2022
LYNCHBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 20: Liberty Flames quarterback Malik Willis (7) rushes up field during a game between the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and the Liberty Flames on November 20, 2021, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, VA (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LYNCHBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 20: Liberty Flames quarterback Malik Willis (7) rushes up field during a game between the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and the Liberty Flames on November 20, 2021, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, VA (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Former Liberty Flames quarterback Malik Willis is taking steps to get himself ready for the possibility he takes over as the starter for the Tennessee Titans.

Per ESPN's Turron Davenport, Willis has been working "extensively" with Titans quarterbacks coach Pat O'Hara since the draft to "make adjustments to his mechanics to improve accuracy."

The 22-year-old was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft and could be the successor to Ryan Tannehill.

Willis transferred to Liberty after two seasons at Auburn and completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 2,857 yards and 27 touchdowns against 12 interceptions during the 2021 campaign. He also rushed for 878 yards and 13 scores.

Willis' strengths are in his speed, arm strength, ability to extend plays and avoid sacks. However, he has weaknesses in throwing the ball deep and consistency with his ball placement, according to NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah:

"Willis has a long way to go in his development, but his arm strength, athleticism and competitiveness create a unique foundation to build on. He needs time to clean up the areas mentioned above, but his impact as a runner will be felt as soon as he steps foot on the field. He is borderline unstoppable on designed QB runs in the red zone. He can pick up those tough yards on QB draws, sweeps or zone reads. He can use his speed to capture the edge or use his strength to run through tackles or carry defenders for several yards."

Jeremiah also noted that the Atlanta native has a similar skill set to Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints QB Taysom Hill.

While Willis will be held to a high standard and undoubtedly face a lot of pressure when he eventually gets on the field, Robert Woods, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Treylon Burks, Austin Hooper and Derrick Henry can help him shoulder the load.

Davenport did note it would take either "injury or some kind of catastrophic failure" from Tannehill this season for Willis to have any chance of being the starter when this season begins.

There also seems to be a strong probability that Willis doesn't start at all in 2022 because the Titans are still trying to compete for a playoff spot. They did lose a key piece of the offense when A.J. Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles during the draft.

Treylon Burks, who was used with the No. 18 pick they received in the Brown deal, will have the difficult task of immediately stepping in as the No. 1 receiver. The Titans also added Woods, who tore his ACL in November, in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams.

There's no reason for the Titans to rush Willis onto the field as a starter. His speed and athleticism could get him into games for certain rushing packages, but Tannehill has done enough during his three years with the team to warrant being the starter for one more season.

The Titans finished last season as the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 12-5 record. They lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, 19-16, in the AFC divisional round.

Titans' Ryan Tannehill: 'I Meant No Disrespect' to Malik Willis With Mentor Comment

May 24, 2022
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 22: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans throws a second quarter pass against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Nissan Stadium on January 22, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 22: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans throws a second quarter pass against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Nissan Stadium on January 22, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill turned heads earlier this month when he told reporters, "I don't think it's my job to mentor him," when discussing rookie signal-caller Malik Willis.

The veteran clarified his previous comment Tuesday, telling reporters, "I meant no disrespect to Malik." He added he was "disappointed in how things got spun and twisted a little bit":

Tannehill also said he reached out to Willis after his initial comment generated so many headlines and said he would be an ideal teammate.

For his part, Willis seemed to indicate he has a positive relationship with Tannehill as "somebody you can look up to":

Tannehill was right that his job description isn't to mentor someone who could take his job. That is especially true since he has a potential out on his contract for 2023 and may not be the long-term answer for the Titans considering he turns 34 years old in July.

Tannehill isn't Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers under center, but he helped lead the Titans to the No. 1 seed in the AFC last season even though star running back Derrick Henry played just eight games.

Yet Tennessee used a third-round pick on Willis, which brought some uncertainty to Tannehill's long-term future with the team.

The starter's comments about it not being his job to mentor his replacement brought the situation even more scrutiny months before the season is set to begin. It might be a topic of discussion if Tannehill makes a mistake or if Willis plays well during preseason games.

Willis can also make plays with his legs, so it wouldn't be surprising if the Titans utilized that skill set in certain situations much like the San Francisco 49ers did with Trey Lance last season.

For now, Tannehill made sure to clear up confusion about his comments, even if he may be fighting for his job at times this season.       

Titans Rumors: Malik Willis 'Looked the Part in a Major Way' amid Tannehill Comments

May 15, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 03: Malik Willis #QB16 of Liberty throws during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 03: Malik Willis #QB16 of Liberty throws during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The Malik Willis hype is already building in Tennessee.

"I've talked to some teams who believe that they will have a package somewhere down the line for him in actual game action, even though he's largely considered a project, needs some time, but he can have some goal-line work as a way for the Titans to use his running game. I'm told he had a really big day yesterday, looked the part in a major way in their day two of minicamp," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said Sunday on SportsCenter. 

The Titans drafted Willis in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft after he surprisingly slipped into Day 2.

While Willis' combination of speed and arm strength garnered comparisons to Josh Allen, he fell down the draft board in large part because he'll likely take at least a year or two to catch up to adjust. Liberty's strength of competition pales in comparison to the NFL, and Willis did not put up bonkers numbers. He threw for 2,857 yards and 27 touchdowns against 12 interceptions while adding 878 yards and 13 touchdowns as a runner.

Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill made waves earlier this month when he said it wasn't his "job" to mentor Willis, but the rookie says he and the veteran are already off to a good start as teammates. 

"It was never anything negative," Willis told reporters. "Ryan's a good dude. Everything is cool. He had us over [to] the house the other day and gave us a little bit of game regarding what comes with this process."

Tannehill has two years and $56 million remaining on his contract. 

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