Who Should I Start? Malik Willis or Sam Howell

Tuesday, August 19, 12:31 PM

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that backup quarterback Malik Willis will play in the preseason finale on Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks. The Packers also plan on playing some or most of their starters, at least for a little bit. We would be surprised if starting QB Jordan Love (thumb) plays this weekend after having a minor surgery on his left (non-throwing) thumb last week. The 26-year-old Willis went 6-for-14 for 83 yards on the first three possessions of the second preseason game last weekend against the Indianapolis Colts. Love is fully expected to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September, so Willis is primed to open the season as Green Bay's backup signal-caller. The former third-rounder by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 played in seven games in his first year with the Packers in 2024 and led the team to two wins with Love sidelined by injury.

Sunday, August 24, 10:40 AM

The Minnesota Vikings are sending backup quarterback Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune. As part of the deal, Minnesota will send Howell and a sixth-round pick in 2026 to Philly for a fifth-rounder in 2026 and a seventh-rounder in 2027. With Tanner McKee (finger) uncertain for the start of the season, the Eagles have another backup option behind Jalen Hurts. Minnesota, meanwhile, moved quickly on Howell, flipping him to Philly and signing veteran Carson Wentz to serve as J.J. McCarthy's backup.