NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported Tuesday that Pittsburgh is among a small group of clubs showing interest in Malik Willis as a potential starter in the 2026 season. La Canfora said the Steelers, along with the Browns and Dolphins, are among teams weighing Willis as a desired quarterback target in the offseason.
Willis, a 2022 third-round pick who spent two seasons backing up Jordan Love in Green Bay, has drawn renewed attention after improving play and a larger role in backup duties. La Canfora noted Willis “put himself in a position to earn a significant payday” and has growing support among several teams in the market for a new starting quarterback. Willis started three games for the Packers in Injury-depleted stretches and went 2-1 as a starter.
In limited action since entering the league, Willis showed promise. Reports indicate that in 2025 he completed 30 of 35 passes for 422 yards with three touchdowns, while adding 123 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns across four appearances. While the sample size is small, supporters view his development in Green Bay as a sign he could be a more polished option as a starter in the right system.
Context for the market places Willis among the more intriguing 2026 free-agent quarterbacks. Spotrac’s projections place Willis’ average annual value near $10.58 million, with notable parity to Aaron Rodgers’ own 2026 valuation at roughly $10.57 million in the same window. That positioning underscores the Steelers’ potential calculus: a high ceiling option who could be developed into a long-term starter if Rodgers returns for only one more season.
If Pittsburgh pursues Willis, the dynamic could hinge on Rodgers’ status and McCarthy’s presence in Pittsburgh. With Rodgers potentially back, Willis would still give the Steelers an open competition behind center, potentially competing with Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard. If Willis is signed, the plan would likely be to start him rather than serve as a long-term backup, offering a high-upside option with developmental flexibility behind a veteran signal-caller.
For now, the reports signal real interest rather than a settled plan. The Steelers’ quarterback strategy for 2026 remains uncertain, with Rodgers’ status and Willis’ market trajectory likely to drive the offseason conversation in coming weeks.
