Florio: Steelers Top Brass Skipping Alabama Pro Day Is Part Of Elaborate Plan

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had every pundit and fan guessing what their plans are at quarterback once again. Aaron Rodgers came in for the 2025 season and guided the team to a 10-7 record and an AFC North crown. However, the playoff drought that has persisted since the 2016 season remains. Rodgers made it seem like he was only going to play for that 2025 season, but he has hinted at a possible return to the Steelers in 2026. If Rodgers does come back, the quarterback room appears set to feature Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, and Will Howard.

Rumblings about Steelers GM Omar Khan and new Head Coach Mike McCarthy’s 2026 draft plans are starting to suggest they may be eyeing Alabama quarterback prospect Ty Simpson. Despite Simpson’s Pro Day taking place on Wednesday, many experts quickly noted that Khan and McCarthy, the team’s top decision-makers, were not in attendance. At first glance, that absence seemed to indicate that Pittsburgh might not be interested in Simpson after all.

However, NFL insider Mike Florio joined 93.7 The Fan to offer a different perspective. Florio suggested that the Steelers’ absence could actually be part of a deliberate strategy to keep their draft intentions under wraps. By staying away from Simpson’s Pro Day, Khan and McCarthy may be attempting to create misdirection, leaving other teams unsure of Pittsburgh’s interest in the highly touted prospect. If true, it would not be the first time the Steelers have used subtle tactics to maintain a competitive edge in the draft.

"Or they really are [high on Ty Simpson] and they want people to quit talking about them," Florio said while speaking on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday afternoon.

However, the Steelers still had personnel at Simpson’s Pro Day, so it is not as if their overall interest was negative. The point is that if Pittsburgh is preparing to make a big move on Simpson and potentially draft him much higher than many experts expect, it would be natural to assume the top decision-makers, Khan and McCarthy, would be present. Their absence seems notable, but as Florio pointed out, it could simply be an effort to keep their intentions under wraps. If every team knows the Steelers are targeting Simpson, it could make their path to securing him much more difficult.

Simpson is benefiting from a relatively weak quarterback class. Many expect him to go in the first or second round, which seems high for where the Steelers should consider taking him. However, there is truly no way to determine with certainty how ready a quarterback prospect is for the NFL. That may be why McCarthy and Khan are willing to take a risk and potentially try to solve the franchise quarterback problem in the Steel City.

Steelers Would Be Taking A Huge Risk Drafting Ty Simpson

Simpson does come with concerns. He has limited starting experience and a smaller frame, which naturally raises durability questions. When quick interior pressure reaches him, he can struggle to maintain composure. His vertical deep ball accuracy has also been described as inconsistent, which is a major concern at the NFL level.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft and whether Pittsburgh decides to pursue him. His combination of potential upside and noticeable weaknesses makes him one of the most intriguing and debated quarterback prospects in the class.

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