Steelers Are Hinting At What Future Plans May Be At Crucial Position

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of uncertainties now that Mike Tomlin is no longer their head football coach. Tomlin was the face of the franchise for 19 seasons, but now it will be 62-year-old Mike McCarthy coming into Pittsburgh, trying to get this team back into Super Bowl contention. It won’t be an easy task for McCarthy, but he knows how to win, and he also knows how to develop quarterbacks. That experience was largely one of the reasons Pittsburgh was drawn to McCarthy, as they knew the team needed to develop a franchise quarterback.

The Steelers’ focus on quarterback development is clear. Sixth-round draft pick Will Howard from the 2025 NFL Draft has already caught McCarthy’s eye with his potential, but there is also Mason Rudolph, who has proven he is not an NFL starter-caliber player. Aaron Rodgers’ impending decision adds another layer of uncertainty for Pittsburgh, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering who will lead the team at the most important position.

Still, many Steelers insiders believe Pittsburgh may target another developmental quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted Thursday that he has heard rumblings about the team’s possible plans to draft a quarterback, leaving fans with a massive clue about the future of the franchise. McCarthy’s experience with developing young QBs could play a critical role in shaping Pittsburgh’s next era, making the upcoming draft one of the most intriguing in recent team history.

"They've also done a ton of homework on this particular draft class over the last year and the quarterbacks involved," Fowler said while speaking on Get Up. "We will see if they pull the trigger."

Fowler’s comments show the Steelers are taking a really deliberate, well-researched approach, looking at both the talent in this draft and what the team needs long-term at quarterback. 

During the 2025 NFL Draft, there was a ton of talk about Pittsburgh maybe making a move to draft a QB early, but they didn’t, because a lot of pundits claimed the 2026 class would be loaded with QB prospects, which couldn’t have been further from the truth. Still, it’s worth noting that McCarthy and his staff are doing a lot more due diligence in 2026 than they did in 2025.

Some of the names getting attention are Ty Simpson from Alabama, who keeps showing up in 2026 mock drafts as a top target for teams trying to find their long-term QB. He’s got arm talent, mobility, and experience in a pro-style offense, which makes him really interesting for Pittsburgh as they try to figure out their next franchise quarterback. 

Another guy on the radar is Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, who’s kind of an under-the-radar target but already has connections to McCarthy. Nussmeier could be a developmental guy McCarthy could really work with, given how good he is at grooming quarterbacks.

Steelers Could Go Big-Game Hunting Once More In 2026 NFL Draft

The Steelers could also do what they did in 2025 with Howard and use a later-round pick to grab a high-upside, developmental quarterback. It’s low-risk, high-reward. 

If the player turns into a franchise QB, Pittsburgh is set for years. If not, they haven’t blown a premium pick. With a new coach in McCarthy and a team in transition, this approach lets him find a potential diamond in the rough while keeping options open for the rest of the roster. 

Fowler’s insight makes it clear the Steelers are covering all their bases, and fans should keep an eye on both early-round guys like Simpson and under-the-radar names like Nussmeier, or even really rough options such as Mark Gronowski.

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