Malik Willis Should Be Steelers' Top Target amid Aaron Rodgers, NFL Free Agency Rumors

Despite being the reigning AFC North champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers head into free agency under an aura of uncertainty. For the first time in nearly two decades, the Steelers will have a new head coach. They also don't know who their starting quarterback will be.

Mike McCarthy is taking over for Mike Tomlin, and his history with Aaron Rodgers makes it entirely possible that the 42-year-old quarterback will be under center again in 2026. However, Rodgers hasn't committed to playing next season, and he doesn't sound particularly close to making a decision.

"I've talked to (Steelers coach) Mike (McCarthy), I've talked to (Steelers general manager) Omar (Khan). There's been no deadline that's been put in front of me," Rodgers told The Pat McAfee Show (h/t NFL.com's Nick Shook). "There's no contract offer or anything."

Pittsburgh appears unlikely to lose Rodgers to a different team in free agency. However, the future Hall of Famer may decide that it's finally time to retire.

"My sense is it's the Steelers or no one," NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport told The Dan Patrick Show.

For now, Rodgers still appears to be Pittsburgh's top choice at quarterback, though Green Bay Packers backup Malik Willis is rumored to be the Steelers' second option.

While Willis does have a limited resume that includes just six NFL starts, he should actually be Pittsburgh's top choice over Rodgers.

Rodgers played well enough to get the Steelers into the postseason, and he did win a Super Bowl with McCarthy in Green Bay. However, he isn't the long-term answer that Pittsburgh needs at quarterback—and has lacked since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.

Running it back with Rodgers probably won't get the Steelers deep into the postseason either. It certainly isn't likely to yield a poor record and a high draft pick, which might give Pittsburgh a shot at drafting a top-tier QB prospect in 2027. Most likely, re-signing Rodgers will lead to another early playoff exit and more uncertainty regarding the long-term QB plan.

Mason Rudolph isn't Pittsburgh's answer, and there's no guarantee that 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard has any more upside. The 2026 quarterback class is extremely underwhelming, too, with Fernando Mendoza viewed as the only high-end prospect and highly likely to go No. 1 overall.

Willis, despite having just six career starts, has the upside of a high-level NFL starter. We've only seen flashes, of course, but the 26-year-old's run as a spot starter over the last two years is impressive.

In 11 games with three starts, Willis passed for 972 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 261 yards rushing and three rushing scores while posting a 134.6 passer rating.

If Willis' recent play is a sign of things to come, he could become Pittsburgh's next franchise quarterback. If it proves to be a mirage, the Steelers might just stumble into a top draft slot and a QB prospect like Dante Moore or Julian Sayin. In a vacuum, adding Moore would be a low-risk, high-reward gamble and far more beneficial to the long-term health of the franchise than sticking with Rodgers.

Of course, the financials would keep Willis from being totally risk-free. The top quarterback on Bleacher Report's free-agent big board will have multiple suitors and should command a substantial contract.

The $20 million-per-year deal that Justin Fields landed last offseason will probably provide the starting point for Willis in negotiations.

Pittsburgh, though, is positioned to make a play for Willis and add to his supporting cast in free agency. With $43.8 million, the Steelers trail only six teams in projected cap space. They should use some of that financial flexibility to bet big on their future instead of trying to tread water for another season.

*Cap information from Spotrac.