"A Blessing": Steelers' Potential Draft Target Ty Simpson Would Love To Play With Aaron Rodgers

The 2026 NFL Draft is set to get started, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are expecting to be picking 21st overall. With that known, they are still waiting for an answer from quarterback Aaron Rodgers on whether he will play football or not moving forward. It's unclear what the holdup is, but it could spell trouble for the Steelers. The expectation remains that Rodgers will be back, so the team likely won't draft a quarterback in the first round. Still, a signal-caller could be in play on Day 2 or 3 of the draft.

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has often been mocked to the Steelers, but all in the first round. Simpson in the first would not be ideal, but perhaps could be taken in the second. The Steelers have Will Howard still waiting in the wings, but they should look to add to the quarterback room. Head Coach Mike McCarthy has praised Howard a lot, but he was a sixth-round pick.

He might not pan out to be what the Steelers need, and Simpson could have a much better chance. Aside from his small size, Simpson is a solid prospect who still has a lot to learn. Perhaps sitting and learning behind a future Hall of Famer like Rodgers could make all the difference for the trajectory of his career.

Simpson recently attended a Toyota-sponsored National Flag Football Event, where the media interviewed him. He said that it would be a blessing to sit and learn behind Rodgers. He mentionined Rodgers' talent, and the great mind for football that he has. Rodgers will end his career as one of the greatest ever to play, and Simpson wants to be a part of that.

"It would be a blessing," Simpson said. "You know, how talented he is, how good of a person he is, like, I've heard nothing but great things about Aaron. Especially being able to pick his mind about how he had to learn from not only, you know, [Brett] Favre, but the things he's learned in general being a, you know, [four-time] MVP, a Super Bowl champion. Honestly, he changed the game with quarterback play, so if I was in a room with him, I feel like it would only help me." 

Rodgers was drafted in 2005 and didn't start a game until 2008; sometimes, quarterbacks take time. In Rodgers' case, it was due to Brett Favre playing for so long. Rodgers would go on to have a Hall of Fame career. If the Steelers draft Simpson, he won't have the time to sit that Rodgers had, but he still might be able to learn a thing or two.

The biggest task will be actually drafting Simpson. If he makes it out of the first round, he will likely be an early second-round selection. The Steelers' second-round pick is 53rd, which is a little past the midpoint. A trade-up would be in play, as the franchise does hold three third-round picks. Perhaps packaging one and their own second-round pick would be enough to move up for Simpson. 

Steelers Shouldn't Panic Draft Simpson

If the front office feels Simpson will be available at 53, it should wait on him until then. The last thing the franchise needs is another Kenny Pickett situation to set it back. Taking Simpson in the second would be reasonable and could turn into great value. With McCarthy as his coach, he will learn a lot of what helped Rodgers become great. He won't be able to replicate the arm talent; not many can. He will also learn in the same way Rodgers did.

Simpson's best scenario for his NFL career will be sitting behind Rodgers. The results likely won't be the same, but it only increases his chances of becoming a quality starter in the NFL. Fans will have to wait and see how things unfold. 

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