Imagine being ridiculed for your bold predictions, only to have them validated months later. That’s exactly what happened to ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, who faced mockery for suggesting Malik Willis could command a $40 to $50 million salary. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Orlovsky’s take is now gaining traction, fellow ESPN analyst Booger McFarland isn’t backing down. He’s still laughing at the idea, insisting Willis won’t land that kind of deal. So, who’s right? Let’s dive into the story.
On Monday, NFL.com’s Greg Rosenthal dropped his highly anticipated rankings of the top 101 NFL free agents for 2026, and quarterback Malik Willis claimed the top spot. This sparked a heated exchange on social media, with Orlovsky reminding everyone he’d been criticized for praising Willis months earlier. “Got laughed at when I said 40-50 million months ago,” Orlovsky tweeted, clearly relishing the moment. For context, a $40 to $50 million salary would place Willis in the same ballpark as Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, who earns $46.1 million annually. But McFarland wasn’t having it. “Still laughing. He ain’t getting that,” he fired back, doubling down on his skepticism.
Willis, who spent last season as Jordan Love’s backup in Green Bay, made the most of his limited opportunities. In four appearances and one start, he completed a staggering 85.7% of his passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns—without a single interception. He also showcased his dual-threat abilities, rushing for 123 yards and two scores. Yes, he fumbled twice, but both were recovered. Despite these impressive stats, Willis has yet to secure a full-time starting role in his four NFL seasons, which began when the Tennessee Titans drafted him 86th overall in 2022.
And this is the part most people miss: Willis’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. His rookie season with the Titans was marked by inconsistency, but he’s since shown remarkable growth, particularly under Matt LaFleur’s guidance in Green Bay. Rosenthal himself praised Willis’s potential, calling him “the most dynamic quarterback in football as a runner” and highlighting his passing improvements. “The ceiling is the roof,” Rosenthal wrote, suggesting Willis could be a franchise quarterback.
But here’s the million-dollar question: Will teams like the New York Jets or Pittsburgh Steelers take a chance on Willis this offseason? With his fifth NFL season approaching, the pressure is on for him to prove he’s starter material. Is McFarland right to doubt Willis’s earning potential, or is Orlovsky’s faith in him justified? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
