Title: Malik Willis Steps into Jalen Hurts' Shoes for Packers' Preparations
Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller Jalen Hurts stands at 6-foot-1 and tips the scales at 223 pounds. At the 2020 NFL Combine, Hurts clocked a 4.59-second 40-yard dash.
Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis, standing at 6-1, 219 pounds, ran a blistering 4.54-second 40-yard dash during the 2022 NFL Combine.
If any quarterback possesses the ideal size and speed to emulate Hurts, it's Willis. And that's precisely what Green Bay's secondary quarterback has been doing this week.
Preparing for the Packers' NFC wildcard game against Philadelphia on Sunday, Willis donned the role of Hurts on the scout team.
While Hurts is renowned for his lengthy strides, and Willis is recognized for his quickness and burst, Green Bay's defenders believe practicing against Willis will prepare them effectively to tackle Hurts.
Aaron Mosby, the Packers' defensive end, spoke on the matter, stating, "We've got a fantastic quarterback in Malik Willis who can mimic Jalen's style just a bit. Practicing against him on certain plays and angles has been quite beneficial. I think Malik is even swifter than him. But Jalen is a dynamic force, and you need to constrain him to make the Eagles one-dimensional."
Containing Hurts, one of the NFL's most dangerous quarterbacks, is undoubtedly a key factor for the Packers if they wish to pull off an upset.
Hurts is the third-ranked quarterback in rushing yards this season with 630, trailing only Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels. He averaged 42.0 rushing yards per game, scored 14 touchdowns rushing, and has a career average of 40.7 rushing yards per game.
Willis' extensive participation in four games this season yielded 140 rushing yards and a 6.9 yards-per-carry average.
Few teams have a substitute quarterback with lightning-quick speed capable of mimicking a potential opponent. Willis' ability to emulate Hurts' game this week is a beacon of hope for the Packers.
"I think it's primarily about improving ourselves and aiding our defense," Willis said, eschewing comparisons. "We play remarkably similarly, but I don't care to compare. I observe around the league, learning from other players, and believe there are a lot of things Jalen does well."
In their Week 1 encounter with the Eagles, the Packers aimed to keep Hurts in the pocket. The Packers employed a more controlled rush, registering two sacks and limiting Hurts to 33 rushing yards on 13 attempts (2.5).
Hurts put up a respectable performance through the air, throwing for 278 yards and two touchdowns. However, he also threw two intercepts, aiding Green Bay's turnover victory, 3-1.
Green Bay's defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, praised their performance against Hurts, saying, "During Week 1, our defensive line did a fantastic job of keeping Hurts in the pocket. He didn't escape many yards."
Green Bay would revel in confining Hurts to the ground and forcing him to win the game with his arm. If they can accomplish that, their chances of a stunning upset undoubtedly increase. And without a doubt, Willis played his part in the preparation.
"Everybody has a role, everybody has a job," Willis concluded. "You simply try to contribute to the team in any way you can."
After impressing with his speed during the NFL Combine, Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis has been tasked with mimicking Philadelphia Eagles starter Jalen Hurts in scout team practices. This week, Willis has been emulating Hurts' playing style to help prepare Green Bay's defense for the NFC wildcard game.
While both Hurts and Willis are known for their impressive speed, the Green Bay defenders believe that practicing against Willis will provide them with valuable insights into tackling the dynamic Eagles quarterback. The Packers' defensive end, Aaron Mosby, emphasized that while Willis may be slightly quicker than Hurts, they need to contain both quarterbacks effectively to limit the Eagles' offensive potential.
