There has been plenty of debate about what direction the Pittsburgh Steelers will take in the draft. When the 2025 season ended and Mike Tomlin stepped away from coaching, questions came quickly. Pittsburgh wasted little time pivoting however, ultimately reaching a deal with Mike McCarthy to become just the fourth head coach in franchise history since 1969.
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Mike McCarthy coaching on the sidelines as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2024 NFL season.
Of course, the biggest question entering year one under McCarthy comes at the quarterback position. Aaron Rodgers made it seem like 2025 would be a one-and-done type of season in Pittsburgh after leading the team to a 10-7 record and an AFC North title. Still, the idea of him returning to play under his former Green Bay Packers head coach has dominated headlines. Many believe Rodgers could be back in 2026, but if he is not, the Steelers appear prepared to move forward with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard.
That uncertainty is why many wonder if Pittsburgh, along with McCarthy and General Manager Omar Khan, will take a chance on a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. The class was once expected to be highly touted, but after the 2025 college football season, several top prospects saw their stock drop. While some believe the Steelers should avoid taking a quarterback early, the team has been linked to Ty Simpson out of Alabama. On Tuesday, NFL Draft expert Ryan Wilson joined 93.7 The Fan and shared a warning to Steelers fans about just how serious the connection between Simpson and Pittsburgh may be.
"I would not be surprised, I have heard that they do like Ty Simpson," Wilson said while speaking on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday afternoon. "I would not be shocked if they packaged some of those Day 2 picks to get back up into the first round to get Ty at the bottom of Round 1 if he is still there. I am telling you he is a really good player."
The idea of the Steelers trading picks to get back into the first round to draft Simpson would likely be viewed by the fan base as a horrible mistake at the time. Of course, that does not matter, as Simpson could pan out or he may not. However, the point Wilson is trying to make is that the 2026 NFL Draft was supposed to be loaded with quarterback prospects. Then it was not, and now the 2027 draft may have the same issue. At some point, Khan has to take a swing on his guy at quarterback. Maybe that is the plan in the 2026 draft, and that would certainly give Steelers fans and the football world a lot to talk about.
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Ty Simpson speaking at the Scouting Combine ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Then Steelers fans would just wait to find out what would happen with Rodgers. If Rodgers comes back for 2026, great, then he could also help mentor Simpson if they draft him. Rodgers mentored Howard during his rookie season and did a really great job showing him the next level.
Steelers May Draft A QB In 2026 NFL Draft After All
The QB class may not be considered super exciting, but that has not stopped the Steelers from doing their due diligence. Now they have been connected to a couple different prospects, most notably Simpson, Carson Beck, Cole Payton, and Taylen Green. All four of those seem like options the Steelers may try to draft at quarterback.
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Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson running with the football during a collegiate football matchup.
Of course, it all just depends on how the board breaks and where the value falls. Pittsburgh got a steal getting Howard in the sixth round, and they could try to find another potential challenger in this year’s draft. Now Steelers fans just wait on Rodgers to let them know his choice.
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