As the 2026 NFL Draft inches closer, the Pittsburgh Steelers still aren't certain who their quarterback will be. The franchise was expecting an answer from Aaron Rodgers, but that hasn't happened. Now, with the NFL event about to happen, the team could face a very tough decision. Even with no answer from Rodgers, it likely still won't draft a signal-caller in the first round, but perhaps could still take one earlier than expected. Unfortunately, this class of quarterbacks is one of the worst in recent memory. There is some intriguing talent, but not much more, which means selecting a passer is all the more difficult.
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QB Ty Simpson celebrates during a game for the University of Alabama.
One of the prospects is Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who, at the beginning of the 2025 season, was considered a first-round pick. Now things are different; Simpson's play somewhat fell off as the season went on, which may have hurt his draft stock. With severe lack of depth, a team could still take Simpson in the first round, but that is not even close to a sure thing.
Franchises are expected to wait until the 2027 draft class to address their respective quarterback situations. While the Steelers need a signal-caller, they could decide to take Simpson at the end of the first round or potentially in the second.
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Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson celebrates during the Crimson Tide's win over Oklahoma in a College Football Playoff game during the 2025 college season.
Simpson recently attended a National Flag Football Event sponsored by Toyota, where he was asked about potentially being drafted by the Steelers. Simpson gave a very confident answer, believing he would fit in great in the city of Pittsburgh. He compares the pride of the people of Pittsburgh to the pride he has for his own home. He also mentioned the city's grit and its status as a football town, which would make it a great fit for him.
"I think I would fit in great here," Simpson stated. "I feel like that this city, you know, they take pride in being, you know, Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh community. Just like I take pride in being, you know, a Martin community [member]. And, you know, the grit the people have here, it's a football town... You know, if I got to play here, I feel like I would fit right in."
Injuries bugged Simpson for much of the 2025 season, which affected his play. He had a serious case of gastritis, causing his weight to fall to 190 pounds. He is already on the shorter side; weight loss like that screams an increased risk of injury. He has since regained weight, but he is still smaller than preferred. Despite his size, Simpson was still a very effective thrower over the middle of the field; he is even seen as one of the best in this class at it.
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Alabama QB Ty Simpson speaking with the media at the Scouting Combine.
The Steelers did not attend Simpson's Pro Day and did not bring him in for a Top 30 visit. This likely eliminates any probability of them taking him in the first round. Though, at the combine, Simpson said he had a great meeting with Head Coach Mike McCarthy. While McCarthy likes the big arm quarterbacks, there aren't many in this class that will be ready to play soon. Simpson may only need a year, and he might be seen as a good scheme fit for McCarthy's West Coast style offense.
Steelers Should Look At Simpson In The Second Round
While quarterback is the Steelers' biggest need, there's no reason to address it in the first round of this year's draft. Selecting a wide receiver for their future quarterback or an offensive lineman to protect him may be the best course of action.
Simpson is already a risk, given his size and injury history, so he needs to be given a stout offense. However, being under McCarthy's potential scrutiny could change things. McCarthy is a quarterback guru, having an excellent track record of great players. Simpson would need some time, but he is a Day 2 pick who could have a huge payoff in the future.
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