The Green Bay Packers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 by a final score of 34-29. But more important than the outcome of the opening game in Brazil is the status of Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
With just seconds remaining in Friday night's game, Love suffered a knee injury and was taken out of the game for the final two plays.
It was former Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis checking into the game for Love. Willis threw an incomplete pass and then took a sack to close things out.
According to Tom Pelissero, the early belief is that Love did not tear his ACL. That's a relief for Packers fans. But just because the ACL is intact does not mean Love will not miss a big chunk of time. There is a wide range of outcomes that could spell disaster for Green Bay in 2024...It could also set up Malik Willis to start some football games.
Malik Willis Gets an Opportunity
If Love is going to miss significant time, Willis is the next man up for the Packers. Tennessee traded Willis, who showed signs of development during this year's training camp, after opting to keep Mason Rudolph on their 53-man roster as the backup to Will Levis.
In the eyes of Titans GM Ran Carthon, Willis had earned the opportunity to be an NFL backup and be on a 53-man roster. Making the deal was all about "doing right by Malik," and now the former third-round draft pick might get regular snaps as a starter for the first time in his NFL career.
If that wasn't crazy enough for Titans fans, Green Bay will be in Nashville in Week 3 for a date with the Titans. Malik Willis revenge game anyone?
How about we go one step further? Former Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill is still sitting on the open market as a free agent. Many have speculated that Tannehill could wait until an established starting quarterback on a talented team goes down. That would allow the veteran to potentially sign and get a starting opportunity for a team that could contend. That's what Joe Flacco did when he signed with the Browns in 2023.
I don't foresee Tannehill going through the grind of another NFL season and moving to a new city just to sit on a 53-man roster. If he wanted to be a backup, he'd have signed somewhere on a one-year deal in the offseason. But if the right opportunity came knocking, maybe the 36-year-old veteran has another run left in him.
Could there be a funnier, more full-circle scenario than Green Bay coming into Nashville with a quarterback room of Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis against the Titans?
I'll admit, that's a longshot. But it almost seems likely as of right now that Willis will be under center against Tennessee in two weeks time. Barring an unforeseen positive update on Love, Malik is finally going to get his shot.
Latest Update
Packers QB Jordan Love has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain. The severity of the sprain and recovery time remain unknown. These injuries can range anywhere from one to 12 weeks in recovery time.
Love is expected to miss some time, but the injury should not be season ending.
Related: History favors Titans over Bears, but this year might be different
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