While the Pittsburgh Steelers acted relatively quickly to find a new head coach following the departure of Mike Tomlin, glaring questions remain for the organization. Mike McCarthy is going to be tasked with, at some point, developing a quarterback that turns into the future of the franchise. Aaron Rodgers could return for another season, but that's not going to change the need for a long-term plan at the most important position in football. It is going to be interesting to see which direction the team ends up going in, as Ben Roethlisberger's retirement is still being felt in the Steel City.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and retired quarterback Ben Roethlisberger look on as the team practices at the UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
Will Howard is going to be talked about as the offseason really ramps up, and rightfully so. While he was just a sixth-round pick, he won a National Championship in college and could be considered as someone that may turn into a diamond in the rough. If Rodgers decides to retire, Howard could be the choice to start sooner rather than later, barring an early-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Another option for the front office is diving into the free agent pool. It's not expected to be that deep at all, but one name is already coming to the surface. Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis flashed some serious growth and promise when he received the opportunity. The Steelers could attempt to sign him based on the situation, but he isn't likely to come cheap.
While fans certainly have interest in targeting the third-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, team insider Gerry Dulac isn't so high on the idea. In a fan chat that he hosted on Wednesday, he was pretty clear that Willis is not a realistic option.
"Those are fans and some national media people who have no clue," Dulac wrote.
The long-time reporter took it a step further when asked again about the soon-to-be free agent. He believes that it doesn't make sense for Pittsburgh to go after Willis at all.
"I don't think Malik Willis is on their radar," Dulac noted. "What would that accomplish? Rodgers makes more sense. But let's not forget the QB they are hoping they can draft."
The interesting piece to the whole scenario is how everything could come full circle. The Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett back in 2022, and it was a grave mistake. The third signal-caller selected was Willis, who went 86th overall to the Tennessee Titans, with Desmond Ridder going to the Atlanta Falcons with the 74th pick.
Kamil Krzaczynski / Associated Press
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis looks to find a receiver downfield as he scrambles with the football during a professional football game at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL.
It may not make sense for the Steelers to commit several years and millions of dollars to Willis, but then again, it is a new era in the Steel City. An offensive-minded head coach was hired that has a history of working with successful quarterbacks. The financial part of it will not be a challenge because of the cap space that Pittsburgh should have at its disposal, but Dulac still seems to think that it makes no sense.
The insider even went out of his way to say that fans and media connecting the Steelers to Willis don't know what they are talking about. It appears as if the more likely scenario will be Rodgers returning, Howard getting an opportunity, or an under-the-radar 2026 draft selection winning the job. It would be an act of desperation to pay Willis big-time money, and that doesn't seem to be an option for General Manager Omar Khan.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan stands over near and signs pictures for the fans as the team prepares to work out during a training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Can't Continue To Slap A Band-Aid On The Quarterback Position
The hiring of McCarthy signals that the team is fully aware that the league is offensive-driven. Welcoming Rodgers back would be somewhat of a head-scratcher because it would delay the future need for a long-term signal-caller; but, if the team believes in Howard and thinks he needs one more year to be ready, the four-time MVP coming back may not be the worst thing in the world. The organization knows at this point, however, that a solution at quarterback needs to occur soon.
Do you think that the Steelers should go after Willis in free agency? Let us know in the comments below!
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