The Arizona Cardinals are betting big on potential, folks. Real big.
According to Gery Woelfel, Arizona has emerged as the frontrunner to sign quarterback Malik Willis with a reported two-year, $60 million offer. That's serious money for a guy who was a backup in Green Bay for most of his career.
But here's the angle that makes this interesting: New Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur is the younger brother of Packers HC Matt LaFleur, who developed Willis over the past few seasons. This isn't a blind bet. This is a coach who's watched his brother work with this kid and believes in what he saw.
Willis showed flashes in Green Bay. He's got the arm talent. He's got mobility. He's got the physical tools that make you dream on what he could become with consistent starting reps and a system built around him.
The question is: Are those flashes worth $60 million?
That's $30 million per year for a player who's never been a full-time starter. That's franchise quarterback money for someone who's mostly been a clipboard holder. That's a massive gamble for a Cardinals team that's trying to rebuild.
But here's the thing about the modern NFL: If you don't have a quarterback, you don't have anything. The Cardinals have been searching for their guy for years. They've cycled through veterans, draft picks, and retreads. None of it has worked.
Mike LaFleur clearly believes Willis can be the answer. He's seen what his brother did with Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love in Green Bay. He knows the system. He knows how to develop quarterbacks. And he thinks Willis is worth the investment.
Sixty million is a lot of money, but it's not crazy by today's standards. Average starting quarterbacks make $40-50 million per year. If Willis becomes even a starter, that's a bargain. If he doesn't? Well, it's only two years. The Cardinals can move on.
