Silas Walker/Getty Images
Malik Willis has had a lot of time to show exactly the player he is this preseason.
The second-year quarterback played his second consecutive full game for the Tennessee Titans and led the team to a 23-7 victory over the New England Patriots Friday night in the last preseason game of the season.
Willis’ highlights were excellent, as he was 15-20 for 211 yards and two touchdowns and a 102.3 passer rating. He also had 17 yards on eight carries in the rushing game, with three coming on kneel downs at the end of the game.
B/R Gridiron @brgridiron
Malik Willis with the TD to Julius Chestnut 💰
drew & dave @walkitoffradio
We wanted to see Malik Willis throw, right? #TitanUp
pic.twitter.com/BQletffd3Q
The lowlights shone as well, as he threw two interceptions and was sacked twice.
NFL @NFL
Joe Giles-Harris gets the @Patriots 2nd INT of the game. 🙌
📺: #NEvsTEN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/624TrfDUF6 pic.twitter.com/g7G52C48rP
The up-and-down nature of his performance caused some fans to question his chances at being a successful signal-caller at the NFL level.
Evan Lazar @ezlazar
Malik Willis has been okay in this one. But that was rough. Giles-Harris playing a hook zone in cover-three and Willis threw it right to him.
Jake @JakeAndHoops
Malik Willis is the master of making the easy plays look so difficult. Such a silly interception after a phenomenal 2nd quarter.
TopJimmy @jp23mc
Julius Chestnut is good enough to make Malik Willis look OK.
Malik Willis is not. #Titans
Bryan Jones @bryanjj0nes
It’s those passes right there that has us scratching our heads on Malik Willis.
He does so much good but that can’t happen.#Titans
Other fans praised Willis’ performance and even suggested that he could take over as the Titans starting quarterback this season.
Doug Kyed @DougKyed
It is seemingly impossible for the first defender in the backfield to sack Malik Willis.
DD @DestinationDevy
Malik Willis looking MUCH more comfortable at QB this preseason.
Good ball to Julius Chestnut for the TD #Titans
Dylan Holt @DylanHolt_
I know it’s just preseason, but Malik Willis has improved so much since last season.
I really think he still has a future in this league.#Titans pic.twitter.com/IHc4pjvHK3
|GC| @_GC24
Tannehill’s days are numbered. Malik Willis has look excellent. #Titans
Wes on Broadway @TitansStats
Now this is the Malik Willis we’ve been looking for!
Hell of a throw#Titans pic.twitter.com/YqcGTtqwcM
Will Doughty @nashwill23
Malik Willis did some work in the off season
I could see this being his team going forward.
I like what I’m seeing here.
We need somebody that’s not afraid when all hell breaks loose.I wanna see him with the first team offense #TitanUp
Jamal @FinessedBuckets
Malik Willis arm is crazy. I’m telling you I’d put money on him becoming a good QB before Trey Lance
However, the most prevalent thought on social media was simply that Willis showcased a mixed bag and that his future is hard to project.
rain ⚔️ TITAN TF UP @rainIoss
the Malik Willis experience summarized in one image pic.twitter.com/yFc2u88pAb
Mike Herndon @MikeHerndonNFL
The Malik Willis Rollercoaster rolls on… https://t.co/vN9MNS3pf6
Justin Graver @titansfilmroom
The Malik Willis experience is truly a roller coaster of highs and lows #TENvsNE
Two Tone Fanatics @twotonefanatics
If you take out the mind boggling INTs, Malik Willis has been mostly accurate, has good command of the offense, and has been pretty decisive. The problem is you can’t take the INTs away.
Jeremy, Two-Tone Black & Blue @peeps_champ
How I feel watching Malik Willis. pic.twitter.com/oPD0yxyogr
Bryan Jones @bryanjj0nes
Malik Willis is such a mixed bag right now.
He shows so much poise, extends plays, makes some great passes on the run.
At times, he looks perfect.
Then he throws in those head scratching interceptions.
If he could just put it all together man…#Titans
With the preseason now over, Willis will likely return to the bench for the time being and have an opportunity to develop under veteran starter Ryan Tannehill. While the quarterback room is more crowded this season with 2023 second-round pick Will Levis in the fold, Willis’ performance this preseason certainly has him on track to get a chance sometime down the line.
