Regardless of what happens with the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback position in 2025, it is unlikely that the long-term answer at the spot will be on the roster. Will Howard would be the only one with some potential to have a chance to claim that title, but the overwhelming expectation is that the organization will draft a signal-caller in 2026. The team is projected to have 12 picks and regardless of where its first-round pick falls in the order, the resources will be available for General Manager Omar Khan to make a massive move up the board to select a top-notch quarterback if the Steelers truly desire one.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) sit in the franchise's draft room as they anxiously watch the board in 2023.
The 2026 quarterback class is supposed to be a very strong one, which means many teams will be potentially in on selecting a signal-caller in the first round. During the 2024 NFL Draft, six quarterbacks were selected in the Top 12. That kind of activity is likely to happen in 2026, and that could cause problems for a franchise like the Steelers that rarely picks near the top of the board.
Due to this expectation, Pittsburgh will have strong rooting interests throughout the 2025 season. Some teams that are on the fence when it comes to the position could elect to not draft one of the top passers if a strong season commences in just a couple of months.
1.) Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young was looked at as a bust after his rookie season, but ended up playing well towards the end of his sophomore campaign. Head Coach Dave Canales may be getting through to him, which would be a massive turn of events for the Steelers. If Young takes a clear step forward during his third year in the NFL, it's possible that the organization passes on going after a quarterback in 2026.
The NFC South is one of the weaker divisions in the league, so Young will have the opportunity to take a leap forward. The Carolina Panthers still aren't expected to be that good, so playing just well enough to stay away from a quarterback in Round 1 could give Pittsburgh an unexpected advantage.
2.) New Orleans Saints
With the retirement of Derek Carr, the New Orleans Saints have one of the worst quarterback situations in the NFL, similar to the Steelers. The Saints did draft Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, so the hope is that he will get the starting nod early on in, or even before, the regular season. A rookie performing at a high level is surely one way to convince a franchise that there is no need to draft a passer in the first round the following offseason.
Clare Grant / Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Former Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough gets ready to throw the football during a home game in college.
The signal-callers surrounding Shough are nothing to write home about, which hints at the fact that he will get a chance to perform early on during his rookie campaign. if he plays well, it will almost certainly rule out a first-round quarterback for New Orleans in 2026.
3.) New York Jets
It will sting a bit if Justin Fields is dominant for the New York Jets, but it could force the team to extend him and pass on selecting the position after Fields' first year with the organization. He is only playing on a two-year deal, and that essentially tells football fans that New York wants to make him earn a second contract rather early.
If he doesn't play well, then the Jets know that they are not tied to him long-term. It was an extremely smart contract, but Steelers fans should be cheering Fields on (except in Week 1), so that New York is turned off by the idea of selecting a quarterback in the first round come next year's draft. Contradicting this rooting interest would be hoping that Russell Wilson fails with the New York Giants, so that Jaxson Dart gets the starting nod and wins over the hearts in the organization.
4.) Arizona Cardinals
The rumors surrounding Kyler Murray as a potential trade candidate have swirled in recent years, but the quarterback will continue to play with the Arizona Cardinals in 2025, and on a massive contract. If there happens to be another underwhelming season in Arizona, the franchise could likely make a coaching change, as well as take a new direction at the quarterback position.
This will be a critical situation to pay attention to throughout the NFL's 2025 regular season, as the Cardinals play in an extremely tough division. It also has to be noted that the Los Angeles Rams have two first-round picks in 2026, and Matthew Stafford is nearing the end of his career. A strong season for the Rams could eliminate the possibility of them trading up to a higher spot than the Steelers.
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Steelers star pass rusher TJ Watt chases down Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford during an away game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.
Steelers Have A Couple Of Other Competitors For First-Round Quarterbacks In 2026
A couple of other key organizations to keep an eye on when it comes to draft positioning include the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, and maybe even the Miami Dolphins. Being in the AFC North, the Browns holding two first-round picks in 2026 is intimidating, even if the franchise decided to draft two quarterbacks in 2025.
Do you think that the Steelers will have the opportunity to make a massive trade up for a quarterback in 2026? Let us know in the comments below!
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