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NFL.com's Nick Shook called Mike McCarthy and the Pittsburgh Steelers an ideal fit for free agent quarterback Malik Willis.
Based on what GM Omar Khan told reporters Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem destined to wait for Aaron Rodgers. But NFL.com’s Nick Shook is not convinced. He argued this week that Malik Willis is a potential Steelers target in free agency.
On Tuesday, Shook referred to the Steelers as an “ideal fit” for Willis.
“Although his sample size is limited — and could lead a desperate team to overpay for his services — Willis’ appearances have proven he can succeed in an offense tailored to his strengths,” Shook wrote. “He also did himself a huge favor by delivering the best outing of his career in a Saturday night showdown against Baltimore, producing a transcendent performance that landed him on the radars of those who never contemplated his existence prior.
“Pittsburgh is the ideal fit because Khan likely won’t be fooled into engaging in a bidding war over Willis but can present an enticing pitch to the Liberty product: Come to the Steel City to compete for a starting job and embrace an opportunity to claim a long-term occupation with a team that expects to contend annually.
“McCarthy could be the ideal coach to guide Willis, too, given his history of success with different quarterback archetypes. The more I write, the more I love this fit for both parties — but at the right price.”
Willis is 3-3 as a starter in four NFL seasons. He’s completed 67.7% of his passes with six touchdowns and three interceptions while averaging 8.5 yards per pass.
In 2025, Willis completed 30 of 35 attempts (85.7%) while averaging 12.1 yards per pass with three touchdowns.
Why Malik Willis Could Fit With Steelers
By adding Willis, the Steelers would finally be looking past the upcoming season at quarterback. Also with Willis, the team would be signing a signal-caller with plenty of upside.
2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard also has potential upside. Khan shared with reporters at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday how excited the Steelers are about Howard. Other members of the Steelers organization have done the same since the 2025 season ended.
The Tennessee Titans selected Willis at No. 86 overall in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was in the same class as former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Despite a lot of rumors Mike Tomlin and the Steelers were interested in Willis, the organization selected Pickett in the first round.
Willis looked overwhelmed in three starts as a rookie during 2022. But with the Packers, he displayed a lot of growth and showcased the promise he had entering the league.
Although Green Bay lost the game, Willis completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards with a touchdown in his only 2025 start. He also had 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
The Steelers offense is desperate for that kind of playmaking ability behind center.
How Much Will Willis Get in 2026 NFL Free Agency?
Shook included one caveat to his argument on the Steelers as a fit for Willis — price.
Willis’s price tag could be a major issue for a lot of potential NFL teams this offseason, especially the Steelers. That’s because NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Wednesday that Willis is “in demand. Schultz added teams expect him to receive a deal exceeding $30 million per season.
“Interested teams I’ve spoken to at the Combine in Indianapolis believe him getting at least $30M per year is a foregone conclusion,” wrote Schultz on X.
While the Steelers have pursued free agency quarterback options the past two years, they’ve ultimately only added veterans on affordable deals.
Willis is the exact opposite kind of free agent. That’s what makes him an intriguing Steelers option; he’s a longer-term solution.
But the Steelers haven’t indicated they are poised to make an expensive free agency commitment to a quarterback, particularly to one that will make more than $30 million per season really because of one excellent start.
NFL free agency officially begins on March 11. It will be interesting to see how the Steelers approach the quarterback market around that time.
Rodgers’s decision might not come by that date. But because of Willis’s free agency demand, interested teams will likely have to make the quarterback offers during the legal tampering period.