Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Pittsburgh Steelers remains a question mark at this point in time, as the legendary quarterback is on the last year of his current contract.
There’s a chance that Rodgers could come back for another season in 2026, but there’s also a chance that he could retire from football. Perhaps his decision will depend on how the Steelers fare in the postseason.
Steelers predicted to sign QB Malik Willis in free agency
Even if Roders does return for another season, it’s clear that at 42 years old he’s not the long-term answer at the quarterback position in Pittsburgh. So, the Steelers need to start thinking about a succession plan.
One way to execute such a plan would be through free agency. Alex Kay of Bleacher Report recently predicted that the Steelers will sign Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis over the offseason to take over from Rodgers, when that time comes.
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“Aaron Rodgers' first year in Pittsburgh has gone well, but the 42-year-old is on a one-year deal and could retire after the playoffs. Even if he opts for another year, the Steelers will still want to have a quality backup lined up to make the transition more seamless in 2027,” Kay wrote.
“With the Steelers picking outside the top half of the 2026 first round, it's unlikely any quality prospects will still be available when they get on the clock. The organization could instead dip into free agency—repeating a strategy it used for the past two years to find starting passers—to land Malik Willis.”
Willis has limited experience, as he’s started just six games over the course of his career. But, he has flashed some legitimate potential in limited opportunity over the past two seasons in Green Bay, and he could be worth taking a gamble on for Pittsburgh.
If Rodgers returns next season, Willis could remain in a reserve role – something he’s accustomed to. Given Rodgers’ advanced age, having a solid backup in place for him would be wise. If Rodgers retires, Willis could step into a starting spot. There aren’t a ton of other options in free agency, and Willis could prove to be relatively inexpensive in comparison.
The Steelers could also look to add a quarterback through the draft, though they don’t have an especially high pick this year, so options there could also be limited.
Obviously, the Steelers are currently more worried about their upcoming Wild Card matchup with the Houston Texans than what the roster will look like next season, but it’s still an issue they’re going to have to address nonetheless.