After rookie Shedeur Sanders’ performance didn’t reassure fans that he could be the starting quarterback in the 2026 season, the Browns looked to pick in-demand free agent Malik Willis.

However, according to reports, Willis has better paycheck and tenure offers lined up compared to the Browns’. While they seem out of luck with Willis, the Browns still need a starter with a proven record.

Fans are urging the management to rethink. While insiders Anthony Lima and Ken Carmen weighed in on whether Willis is even worth the hype. 

On 92.3 The Fan, Lima argued in favor of the Packers’ No.2 quarterback and showed immense faith by saying the Browns could make another playoff appearance if Willis continues to play well.

“If Malik Willis played like he's played in his short stint as a starter, yeah (the Browns) could make the playoffs…” Lima stated.

“In the AFC North, Zac Taylor’s the only coach left, you’ve the Pittsburg, they’re interviewing Mike McCarthy tomorrow,” he added before Carmen asked how many games Willis has played. He further added that a quarterback with so little experience cannot promise improvement.

Malik Willis was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was a dual-threat quarterback who was heavily touted in the NFL.

Unfortunately, Malik’s stint at the Tennessee Titans was not impressive, as he was able to complete just over 50% of his passes. He threw three touchdowns and three interceptions in 11 games.

However, his trade in 2024 to the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick was a major boost for him.

Can You Vouch Willis is Better Than Shedeur Sanders?

“How many, I mean, Malik Willis has started in how many games?” Carmen questioned. 

“Six games, it’s an easy way to hide a guy. Six games in four years, he’s played six games, so I’m gonna give him 50 million dollars?” he added, incredulously.

In his second year with the Packers, Willis has played four games in the 2025 regular season. In those games, he scored three touchdowns for 422 yards and made zero interceptions. Willis, for 288 yards, completed 18 passes out of 21. 

And in Week 17against the Ravens, he scored two rushing and one passing touchdown. In the 2024 season, he scored three touchdowns for 550 yards.  

Lima further stated that Willis is a risk the Browns must take. The team desperately needs to revamp its offense unit, and it begins with a starting quarterback.

Lima further added that for a quarterback like him, the Browns should pay the amount, since they are in no shape to take down the Packers.

“You have to take chances on certain guys if you wanna leg up on other teams. If you think the quarterback room is good enough. Do you think our quarterback room is good enough to stand the Packers?” Lima asked.

The Browns’ quarterback roster was a mess in 2025. After trading Joe Flacco, they relied on rookie Dillon Gabriel, who underwhelmed, and Sanders, who was inconsistent.

Whether the Browns rethink their stance on Willis or hope to pick a new starter, they must act fast.

The Browns also need to finalize on a head coach who would improve the offense.  He also needs to complement the quarterback, to ensure the friction between former head coach Kevin Stefanski and Sanders remains in the past.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das