The Feb. 26 edition of Asked and Answered gathers reader queries about free agency, roster construction and franchise history and delivers concise responses and context. Topics in this installment range from why Malik Willis is drawing considerable offseason attention to the practicality of a Steelers franchise tag, the debate over Aaron Rodgers’ possible return, and whether the NFL should rework its divisions. The column preserves key facts — draft positions, game stats and dates — while offering analysis about how those facts shape team decisions ahead of free agency opening March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
Key Takeaways
- Malik Willis remains a hot name in early free-agency discussion: he was projected as a 2022 first-rounder but was selected 86th overall in Round 3 and is 26 years old.
- Through his first three NFL seasons Willis played about 450 offensive snaps; in Week 17 he completed 18-of-21 passes for 288 yards, 1 TD and a 134.6 rating, plus 60 rushing yards on 9 attempts with touchdowns of 11 and 22 yards.
- Unrestricted free agency opens March 11 at 4 p.m. ET; Willis is one of the few under-30 QBs on many pundits’ early top-10 lists and could command a contract exceeding recent QB deals.
- The Steelers are unlikely to use the franchise tag: they have only five multi-game starters slated to be unrestricted free agents and the one-year franchise tenders (e.g., QB $47,321,000; WR $28,824,000) are financially impractical for Pittsburgh.
- Coaching staffs have expanded substantially since the 1970s: Super Bowls IX–X programs listed staffs of seven to nine, whereas modern staffs grow with specialization and technology support.
- Realigning NFL divisions for pure geography would clash with entrenched rivalries tied to ratings and broadcast value; owners tend to prioritize tradition over strictly shorter travel paths.
- Drew Allar’s tape vs. top competition is mixed: in four games vs. Michigan/Ohio State he completed 47.4% for 454 yards, 2 TDs and a 64.1 NFL-style passer rating; across five postseason games he completed 52% for 954 yards with an 79.1 rating.
- Aaron Rodgers’ potential return raises roster and leadership questions: the columnist judges Rodgers would provide the best chance for winning QB play in 2026 and mentorship for younger QBs if signed.
Background
Asked and Answered is a reader-driven column that addresses topics fans raise during the slow months of the NFL calendar. This February installment reflects common offseason concerns: quarterback valuation in free agency, the cost-benefit of franchise tags, historical perspective on staffing and the recurring debate over league alignment. Those conversations are framed against an impending free agency period that begins March 11 at 4 p.m. ET, when team strategies and market forces become clearer.
The quarterback market has altered the offseason calculus for many clubs. Teams desperate for an NFL-ready starter can inflate prices early in free agency; concurrent supply constraints — a shallow pool of proven starters under 30 who are healthy — amplify that effect. For teams like the Steelers, roster construction must balance salary-cap discipline with the need to remain competitive in the near term, which shapes decisions about big guaranteed contracts or one-year tag tenders.
Main Event
Malik Willis has drawn attention for several reasons. Once mocked as a potential first-round pick in 2022, he slipped to the third round at No. 86 and has since developed under high-quality coaching staffs. After limited action totaling roughly 450 offensive snaps across three seasons, Willis stepped into a high-pressure Week 17 start at Lambeau Field and produced an eye-catching stat line: 18-of-21 passing (86%) for 288 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and a rating of 134.6, plus 60 rushing yards on nine carries and two rushing TDs. That performance is a primary data point fueling market interest.
Willis’ path — a late-round selection with a small sample of dominant plays — makes him appealing to QB-needy clubs willing to gamble. Some front offices will value his age (26) and upside; others will weigh the limited tape and the development required to sustain those results. The column notes that in a thin market for young, healthy QBs, clubs sometimes overpay early in free agency and points to the precedent of surprising offers that reshape expectations.
On the franchise tag question, the math is decisive. One-year tenders listed for 2026-equivalent categories include $47,321,000 for quarterbacks and $28,824,000 for wide receivers. The Steelers reportedly have only five players who started multiple regular-season games and are set to reach unrestricted free agency, so deploying a tag at those headline amounts would be inconsistent with Pittsburgh’s usual cap management and roster philosophy.
Other reader questions touched on culture and history. A fan noted how small Super Bowl-era staffs once were compared with the modern proliferation of assistants and specialists. Separate queries asked about Hall of Fame team alignment — inductees enter as a player, coach or contributor without an assigned franchise tag — and whether the NFL might realign divisions to minimize travel. The column argues rivalries and TV ratings have traditionally outweighed geography in league decision-making.
Analysis & Implications
Willis’ market value will be driven by a classic supply-and-demand imbalance. Teams with immediate QB needs and cap flexibility can create a bidding surge; those comfortable with a longer-term build will ask for more film and demonstrated consistency. If one or two teams commit large guarantees early in free agency, that will reset the price threshold and could leave other clubs paying a premium or walking away.
From Pittsburgh’s perspective, short-term competitiveness and payroll discipline are often in tension. The franchise tag numbers make clear the club would take a significant financial leap to retain or acquire top-tier free agents via one-year tenders. That fiscal reality reinforces draft-and-develop strategies or pursuing veterans on team-friendly deals rather than one-off market shocks.
Realignment rhetoric remains attractive in theory because geography can reduce travel-related fatigue, but it is difficult to execute in practice. Longstanding rivalries — and the television contracts tied to them — are economically valuable, and any change that diminishes marquee matchups would meet resistance from owners and broadcast partners. Incremental scheduling tweaks may be more attainable than wholesale realignment.
Comparison & Data
| Position | One-Year Franchise Tender |
|---|---|
| Quarterback | $47,321,000 |
| Wide Receiver | $28,824,000 |
| Linebacker | $28,197,000 |
| Offensive Line | $27,924,000 |
| Defensive End | $27,322,000 |
The table above highlights why a franchise tag can be prohibitive for a club managing a tight salary cap. Even a single tagged starter at premium positions would consume a huge share of available resources and limit flexibility for addressing multiple roster needs in free agency or the draft.
Reactions & Quotes
“I believe Rodgers gives the Steelers the best chance at getting winning play from the quarterback position in 2026.”
Asked and Answered columnist
The quote above was offered in response to a reader asking whether Aaron Rodgers should return; it frames Rodgers’ value both as a short-term starter and as a mentor for younger quarterbacks.
“Willis put on a show” in his Week 17 start, a performance that has raised his stock among teams with QB needs.
Asked and Answered column
That characterization summarizes why a single strong outing can substantially alter a signal-caller’s market, especially when age and perceived upside are on the player’s side.
“People have no idea how many Magic 8 Balls I go through every offseason.”
Asked and Answered columnist (light-hearted)
This lighthearted remark closed the column and acknowledges the inherent uncertainty in projecting rosters and draft outcomes months in advance.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Malik Willis will sign a deal larger than Justin Fields’ contract is speculative; early-season offers could shift market expectations but outcomes are not confirmed.
- Reports that clubs are willing to “do crazy things” in early free agency are generalized observations and vary by franchise; specific transactions remain unannounced until contracts are filed.
- The exact count of Steelers free agents who began multiple regular-season games was stated as five in the column; final roster moves and starters’ status can change before free agency opens.
Bottom Line
Several themes emerge from this Q&A: the scarcity of young, proven quarterbacks elevates the market value of limited but high-upside talents like Malik Willis; franchise-tag economics constrain teams that prize cap flexibility; and tradition continues to shape league decisions such as divisional structure. Readers should separate the demonstrable facts — Willis’ Week 17 stat line, tag dollar figures, Allar’s college splits — from speculation about future contracts or front-office intentions.
For the Steelers specifically, the column suggests conservative financial management and developmental drafting remain the most likely paths forward rather than large one-year gambles. Fans and analysts will learn far more once free agency opens March 11 at 4 p.m. ET and teams begin to reveal concrete moves that confirm or contradict the assessments offered here.
Sources
- Asked and Answered: Feb. 26 — Steelers.com (Official club Q&A column)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (Official — Hall structure and induction categories)
- NFL.com (League site — schedules, free agency windows and official announcements)