New QB? Steelers Eye Malik Willis if Rodgers Steps Down

The Pittsburgh Steelers are already looking ahead, wondering who could step into the quarterback role if Aaron Rodgers decides to hang up his cleats. General manager Omar Khan has hinted that the team would welcome Rodgers back for 2026, yet the veteran’s own comments in a recent interview left fans guessing about his future. Some analysts have begun to map out the next steps for the franchise. One popular view is that Malik Willis, a 26‑year‑old quarterback who has shown flashes of brilliance with the Green Bay Packers, could be a prime candidate. Willis’s performance in his sole start for the 2025 season—throwing over 85% of his passes and adding rushing touchdowns—caught the eye of several teams in need of a signal‑caller. Despite his limited experience as a starter (a 3‑3 record overall), Willis has demonstrated growth, especially in his recent appearances for the Packers. In a game where he completed 18 of 21 passes, Willis averaged nearly 14 yards per attempt, a stat that suggests he can deliver under pressure. However, these numbers come from a very small sample size, and the quarterback market remains competitive.Free‑agency experts predict that if a team like Pittsburgh signs Willis, it could cost around $46 million over two years—comparable to the deal Justin Fields received last season. For a club that has historically preferred seasoned veterans, such an investment would be risky but potentially rewarding if Willis can maintain his upward trajectory. The timing of Rodgers’ decision is crucial. If he chooses to retire, the Steelers would need to act swiftly to avoid losing other available quarterbacks in free agency. Yet Rodgers’ own statements—he continues to train but has not received a contract offer—suggest uncertainty about his 2026 plans. In short, the Steelers are weighing a bold move against the uncertainty of Rodgers’ future and the limited data on Willis’s performance. Whether they will take a gamble on an unproven quarterback remains to be seen, but the possibility is already sparking conversations among fans and analysts alike.