The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in quarterback purgatory for years, and the franchise continues to just put a Band-Aid on the position. This has caused a lot of frustration among the fan base as the franchise is in pursuit of a second season with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He is probably the organization's best option for the 2026 season if the group wants to finally win a playoff game, but it doesn't really move the needle when it comes to the future of the franchise. It is very hard to be considered a legitimate threat to win the Super Bowl without a franchise quarterback, and that is something that Pittsburgh is desperate for.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.
Rodgers became Pittsburgh's quarterback for the 2025 season after a very long and drawn out saga. He took his time making his decision on whether or not he wanted to continue playing, and whether or not he wanted that to be for the Steelers. The Steelers became focused on Rodgers later in free agency, after it became clear that the team was not interested in either of its 2024 quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Fields was who Pittsburgh wanted to return, but the organization was not willing to pay the same price that the New York Jets were.
Beat writer Ray Fittipaldo was asked about whether or not Pittsburgh dodged a bullet with that decision during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday, as Fields was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the week.
"I'm sure he would have been better in Pittsburgh had he gotten more of an opportunity," Fittipaldo said. "The Steelers didn't have that deep belief in him, which probably tells you what he is. Yeah, they probably dodged a bullet. Don't be surprised if Malik Willis, a year from now, is in the same boat. I mean, I don't know what the Dolphins are doing."
Fields was the quarterback that everyone thought the Steelers needed to re-sign during the 2025 offseason, and Malik Willis was the free agent quarterback that everyone thought the Steelers had to go after during the 2026 offseason. Fields obviously got overpaid in New York, and the same argument could be made for Willis with the Miami Dolphins.
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Former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields runs off the playing surface following a 2024 Week 6 game against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.
Fields agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets on the first day of the legal tampering period during the 2025 offseason. $30 million of that deal was guaranteed, which was something Pittsburgh was not willing to match. Willis agreed to terms with the Dolphins on the first day of the legal tampering period in 2026. He signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal with $45 million guaranteed. Those are desperate moves by desperate organizations, and it is good that General Manager Omar Khan has not fallen into a trap like that.
Willis could work out in Miami, but that is hard to envision as the organization has been going through a fire sale and has committed over $150 million to players who are no longer on the roster. Fields was benched in New York, and he was dealt to the Chiefs during the 2026 offseason. Willis could be in a similar spot a year from now.
Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Quarterback Malik Willis during a home game while with the Green Bay Packers in 2025.
Steelers Have Been Level-Headed With Approach At Quarterback
Pittsburgh has been patient, to say the least, when it comes to the quarterback position. The Steelers have not offered extreme money to a free agent, and the organization has not reached on a quarterback prospect in the draft recently. The franchise is taking a patient approach, and Khan and company will pounce when the time is right.
What do you think about the Steelers avoiding a pair of disastrous contracts? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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