The Pittsburgh Steelers and new head coach Mike McCarthy have a pivotal decision at the quarterback position this upcoming season. The Steelers hired McCarthy for his experience, and innate ability to work with promising quarterbacks. He is known as a quarterback whisperer and has orchestrated some of the most high-powered offenses in NFL history, both with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. However, every good offense goes as its quarterback goes, and as of now, the Steelers seemingly have no idea who their quarterback will be for the 2026 season.
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New Steelers head coach, Mike McCarthy on the sideline at Lambeau field in Green Bay, Wisconsin as he looks up at the replay board during his head-coaching tenure with the Green Bay Packers.
Last year's Steelers quarterback, future first-ballot Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers, had by all accounts a successful season for the Steelers for a 42-year-old. With Rodgers, the Steelers captured the AFC North title and continued their NFL-record 22 consecutive non-losing seasons. However, the Steelers' offense seemed pedestrian at times. While Rodgers can still play quarterback at a high level, he lacks the mobility that many other quarterbacks in today's NFL have.
NFL Insider Emory Hunt was on CBS Sports HQ and shared his thoughts on who the Steelers' quarterback may be in 2026.
"I think he makes an ideal fit, to be completely honest. For Pittsburgh, for the city, and also for Mike McCarthy. McCarthy can envision him as the new version of Dak Prescott," Hunt explained. "When Dak came in, Dak was more of an explosive runner. He's not that now, but Malik Willis still has that capability in his bag. And also, we've seen growth from him in passing the football because he's gotten more opportunities to get out of there and on the field."
Malik Willis could be the ceiling raiser that the Steelers need. Willis provides the running threat that a quarterback such as Rodgers lacks and can extend pretty much any play. The Steelers have given Rodgers a month to decide what he wants to do, and if he decides to return to the Steelers, by all indications, the Steelers will welcome him back with open arms. Rodgers and McCarthy have a history together, including a Super Bowl victory with the Packers. Rodgers provided the Steelers with their best quarterback play since Ben Roethlisberger, and his history with McCarthy makes a Steelers reunion all the more likely. However, if the Steelers can get Willis, he could set them up not only for short-term success, but also for long-term success as well.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis throws a pass during Packers game.
The Steelers' timeline to win is now. They had the highest-paid defense in the NFL last season and have a roster filled with veterans.
Super Bowl LX Showed Steelers The Need For A Mobile Quarterback
Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots featured two quarterbacks under constant pressure. Patriots quarterback and MVP runner-up Drake Maye struggled with his offensive line all season, which ultimately cost the Patriots the Super Bowl. However, Maye was able to use his legs to avoid pressure and extend plays throughout the season -- until he faced the Seahawks' defense. The Steelers' offensive line is much better than the Patriots' and doesn't get enough credit as one of the best units in the entire NFL. A mobile quarterback behind that offensive line could be a recipe for success.
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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.
Whether the Steelers' quarterback next season is Rodgers, Willis, or someone else, the expectation is the same: to win. The AFC is as wide open as ever, with the Kansas City Chiefs' dynasty coming to a halt with their disastrous season last year. The Steelers will run a high-powered West Coast-style offense under McCarthy. The question is, who will be the quarterback McCarthy ties his faith to?
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