If Aaron Rodgers doesn’t return to Green Bay next season, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be one of several teams eyeing Packers quarterback Malik Willis. According to league sources, Pittsburgh is doing its homework on the young signal-caller, who made a major impression in limited action this past season.
Willis only saw the field in four games, but he made his one start count. In a narrow loss to the Baltimore Ravens, he exploded for 422 passing yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
He also added 123 yards and two scores on the ground - a dual-threat performance that turned heads across the league. That kind of production, even in a small sample, is exactly the kind of upside teams are willing to take a swing on.
Now, let’s be clear: the Steelers aren’t considered the favorites in the early Willis sweepstakes. That distinction might belong to the Miami Dolphins, who are reportedly preparing to move on from Tua Tagovailoa.
Miami has strong ties to Green Bay’s front office - former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and VP of player personnel Jon Eric Sullivan both joined the Dolphins this offseason. That familiarity could give Miami an edge in the chase for Willis.
Still, Pittsburgh is very much in the conversation. The Steelers are expected to be one of at least four teams expressing interest in the soon-to-be free agent. Along with the Dolphins, the Cleveland Browns are also said to be high on Willis, with buzz building around both franchises as potential landing spots.
Willis’ journey to this point has been anything but conventional. Coming out of Liberty in the 2022 NFL Draft, he was a polarizing prospect - raw but immensely talented.
Concerns about his readiness and fit at the next level pushed him into the third round, where the Tennessee Titans scooped him up. After a brief stint in Tennessee, he was traded to Green Bay to back up Jordan Love.
Now, with Rodgers’ future uncertain and multiple teams in need of a spark at quarterback, Willis is suddenly one of the most intriguing names on the market. And while the Steelers appear to be holding out hope for a Rodgers reunion - he’s reportedly been in contact with new head coach Mike McCarthy - they’re also preparing for every scenario. That includes a serious look at Willis, whose mix of athleticism, arm talent, and recent breakout performance has teams lining up for a closer look.
If Pittsburgh doesn’t land Rodgers, Willis could represent a bold pivot - a bet on upside and development over a proven veteran. It’s early, but the Steelers are clearly keeping their options open. And Malik Willis is firmly on their radar.