Steelers, Vikings, Cardinals named possible landing spots for $71 million quarterback originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
There are going to be plenty of teams in the market for a quarterback this offseason, and among them could be the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.
In Pittsburgh, the Steelers still don't have an answer on Aaron Rodgers. If he doesn't come back, the Steelers need to make an addition to a quarterbacks room that would include the unproven Will Howard and backup Mason Rudolph.
The Vikings have J.J. McCarthy under contract, but he failed to cement himself as the team's locked-in starter for the long haul after a poor second season. As a result, the expectation is the Vikings are going to at least add veteran competition.
As for the Cardinals, it appears Kyler Murray's days are numbered. If he is shown the door, we would bet Arizona won't be keen on staking its future to the Jacoby Brissett wagon, no matter how well he played in 2025.
One quarterback who could be the most coveted in free agency is Green Bay Packers signal-caller Malik Willis. On SI's Ethen Hutton believes the Steelers, Cardinals and Vikings are all possible landing spots for him.
"Willis projects to be a sound fit in Minnesota’s talented offense under quarterback-friendly coach Kevin O’Connell. Monitoring his fantasy football outlook, his stock would take a sizable leap with Jefferson and Addison on the perimeter," Hutton said of Willis to the Vikings. "His consistency as a passer will help elevate the Vikings’ offense, with significant upside among fantasy entering the 2026 season. His rushing upside will also pair well with the likes of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in the run game, bolstering the rushing attack."
"In Pittsburgh, Willis would join an offense featuring DK Metcalf and a talented tight end trio featuring the likes of Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith," he said of Willis to Pittsburgh. "He’d also add a new dynamic to the Steelers’ backfield tandem of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. From a fantasy football perspective, his stock would take a sizable leap in Pittsburgh, filling the team’s need for a franchise quarterback. His outlook is highly encouraging for fantasy managers as Willis gears up for his first season as a starter."
"Willis fits Arizona’s offense system under new head coach Mike LaFleur, the brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, as the team looks to bring in another mobile quarterback," Hutton said of the Liberty product going to Arizona. "From a fantasy football standpoint, the Cardinals offer one of the best supporting casts of any team on our list, bolstering Willis’ fantasy stock immensely for the 2026 season. With Willis set to take over a starting job, he’s slated to break out in fantasy football next season. The Cardinals’ weapons could help Willis emerge as one of fantasy’s top quarterbacks next season, with additional upside as a rusher in LaFleur’s offense."
A former third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans, Willis looked like he was going to be a bust after two years in the NFL. Then, a trade to the Packers changed everything.
Willis didn't see a ton of action while serving as Jordan Love's backup, but he no doubt made the most of his opportunities and looked like a completely different quarterback than the one we saw in Nashville.
He showed he can make all the throws, and with accuracy, and his decision-making and pocket presence was top notch. As an added bonus, Willis has plus-athleticism to escape the rush.
Willis doesn't come without some risk, though.
We believe Willis will command something close to what Spotrac projects, which is a two-year, $71 million contract. That might seem crazy for a guy with just six career starts, but he should enough promise to warrant that kind of money.
Essentially Sports' Tony Pauline reports that many around the league believe Willis is going to end up with the Cardinals, so Arizona is a realistic possibility, assuming they do indeed cut or trade Murray.
The Steelers' interest in Willis will depend upon what happens with Rodgers, but if the future Hall of Famer doesn't return, we believe Pittsburgh would be willing to take a swing on Willis.
When it comes to the Vikings, reports suggest they would like to sign a veteran quarterback, but we would not rule Minnesota out from pursuing Willis if head coach Kevin O'Connell believes he can be an upgrade over McCarthy.
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