Steelers Receive Serious Warning About 1 Of Their Top Draft Targets

Despite the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers likely are expecting Aaron Rodgers to return for a second year in the Steel City, the team has done its research on the 2026 quarterback class. The front office hosted four signal-callers for Top 30 visits, which suggests a profound interest in adding to the room. Carson Beck, Taylen Green, Drew Allar and Cole Payton were all brought in to meet with the team. Additionally, reports suggested that the goal was also to have Garrett Nussmeier present for one; however, the timing didn't end up working out.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy is a solid coach when it coms to working with quarterbacks. He has been around some of the best in the game for a long time, and the belief is that he could develop any player that would hypothetically be drafted in 2026. This is why the Rodgers situation is so fascinating; will the organization decide to take a signal-caller whether the veteran plans to return or not?

The Steelers have historically not been shy about Top 30 visits. Guys that have the opportunity to do that are often very high up on Pittsburgh's big board. So, using four out of 30 on quarterbacks, and wanting to have a fifth with someone like Nussmeier, speaks volumes. Unfortunately, none currently project as long-term starters at the professional level.

Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hosted a fan chat on Monday with the NFL Draft right around the corner. Someone chimed in about Beck, and it's safe to say that the beat writer has no interest in the team taking him. Batko offered a strong warning to the Steelers' decision-makers, as the 24-year-old might not have what it takes.

"I'm out on Carson Beck even before you get to some of those more speculative knocks on him," Batko wrote. "He's 24 years old, lacks mobility, questionable arm strength following a significant elbow injury at the end of the 2024 season. And has some Ryan Dunne in him, if you've ever seen Summer Catch. When I watched Carson Beck, I was always just waiting for him to make that one ... big ... mistake. And, unfortunately for him, despite all the winning he did, he often did make that mistake."

Beck spent a total of six years as a member of college football programs and played in 55 total games. He competed in plenty of big games and had great moments, but it's the massive mistakes he made along the way that clearly caught Batko's attention. If the Steelers really want to find a franchise quarterback in the middle rounds, someone like Beck, who projects as a career backup, might not be the right player to take.

Despite the clear interest in the quarterback position, there is no guarantee that the Steelers will end up taking one. If there is a run on these individuals early in the third round, Pittsburgh may be out of luck depending on which guys are leftover. It wouldn't be the end up of the world if Rodgers is coming back, because the organization would still have three capable passers on the team.

Four signal-callers are unlikely to be on the 53-man roster, so taking one almost certainly will lead to the end of Mason Rudolph's tenure in the Steel City, unless Rodgers does end up surprising everyone and retiring.

Steelers Must Really Like Something About Beck's Potential

The experts in the room for Pittsburgh clearly took a liking to four or five quarterbacks in the 2026 draft class. There is no guarantee that one of them ends up wearing the Black and Gold; however, it's very possible that a chance is taken on someone. Beck has been connected to the organization for months, so he will be a player to keep an eye on, despite his questionable status as a future starter.

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