Fowler: Steelers May Have Already Been Rejected By Top Free Agent Quarterback

The Pittsburgh Steelers are forced to look tirelessly for a potential starting quarterback for the 2026 season, as there is no guarantee that Aaron Rodgers will be willing to suit up for the Black and Gold again. It doesn't help when the crop of passers in free agency and in the upcoming NFL Draft are extremely underwhelming. Malik Willis, a quarterback who has only made a handful of starts in his young career thus far, is arguably the most intriguing option. The next tier are veterans that will be released if they are not traded away. It's dire out there for teams looking to upgrade their starting quarterback position.

Things seem to be even more dire now for the Steelers. NFL insider Jeremy Fowler recently made an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show and was asked about Pittsburgh being an option for Willis, to which he gave some bad news on.

"I don’t sense that right now," Fowler said.

Fowler was speaking about which teams would be an option for Willis to go to, as opposed to the interest of other teams in him. Obviously, things could change in the next week or so before the legal tampering period begins, but unless things go south quickly for the 2022 third-round pick, he seems to not have the Steelers on his list of teams that he wants to play for in the upcoming season.

Of course, there is the possibility that the Steelers have instead told his agent that they are not interested in signing him, which could lead to his agent leaking the inverse of that. However, if Fowler's report is true, this is very problematic for the organization. It will likely be revealed eventually who said no to who first, but Steeler Nation can most likely cross him off of its wish list if Fowler's inkling is on the money.

Of the starting-caliber free agent quarterbacks, Willis is the youngest with the most upside, which would have been great for a supposed quarterback whisperer in Mike McCarthy to mold. Both of their reputations could have shot through the moon if this deal were to happen and the veteran passer progressed as expected. Instead, he has high sights set for numerous other teams, including a division rival.

Fowler also mentioned that many of the top free agent quarterbacks want to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. Willis may or may not be in that group, but the idea of playing for arguably a top-10 coach and possibly the best wide receiver in football in Justin Jefferson, is definitely more appealing than signing with a coach that has been fired twice and a team without a top-25 wideout in 2025. 

Steelers May Be In Deep Trouble In 2026

If the Steelers don't get Rodgers back, it sounds like they will have to settle for their third-string plan at best. There may not be a better example of quarterback purgatory in the NFL right now than Pittsburgh. For such a storied franchise like this one to be rejected by at least one top free agent option, there are serious issues that need to be figured out quickly. If not, this purgatory could drag on until the 2030s. 

The latest NFLPA report cards may have had something to do with this as well. Despite ownership's not-so-subtle attempt to keep them hidden from the public, it is being revealed that the Steelers run a very cheap, bare-bones, and unsafe operation. What was once the model organization in the NFL is seen as more of a "poverty franchise," as more and more cracks begin to show as the years go on. Why would Willis want to hitch his wagon to this?

What do you think about Willis possibly rejecting the Steelers as a team to play for? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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