The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to have interest in Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis if Aaron Rodgers does not return to the team next season, according to NFL insider Jason La Canfora.
He played in just four games, but Willis shined in his one start with the Packers, a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He had 422 passing yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions and added 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
While Pittsburgh would not be the front runners for Willis, they will be in the sweepstakes. La Canfora sees the Miami Dolphins, who are primed to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, as a team that could lure Willis.
Packers former defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and vice president of play personnel Jon Eric Sullivan were hired by the Dolphins this offseason.
“While at least four teams are expected to express interest in the free-agent quarterback, including the Steelers, there is already growing buzz in the industry that the Browns and Dolphins are particularly keen on the emerging talent,” La Canfora wrote.
Willis was a hot name coming out of Liberty in the 2022 NFL Draft, but concerns about his play style and overall readiness to play made him fall to the third round, where the Tennessee Titans selected him. He was later traded to the Green Bay Packers to become their backup to Jordan Love.
For now, the Steelers do seem focused on a return for Rodgers, who has openly communicated with new head coach Mike McCarthy. Until they get an answer from Rodgers, the Steelers seem content doing legwork on other options, with Willis high on that list.